Truckee - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has opened the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80, five miles east of Truckee.

Crews worked through the night to clear a series of mudslides that blocked the Interstate at 3 a.m. Friday morning. "Thanks to a lot of hard work by our maintenance forces, our contractors and the California Highway Patrol, we are going to meet the needs of the traveling public," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton, who approved emergency contracts that allowed work to begin immediately.

The slides, which trapped six big rigs and four pieces of Caltrans equipment, took out between 300 to 400 feet of center median barrier and covered all four lanes of Interstate 80. Last night, contractors removed more than 1300 cubic yards of slide material from the roadway. Crews are still working to stabilize a slope north of the slide area. One of two westbound lanes could be re-open by 5 p.m.

Motorists, who should still expect delays, are urged to move through the area cautiously and to be prepared for more inclement weather.

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