Big Rig Gets Jammed in Wrong Lane at Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza

A big-rig crashed into the toll plaza at the Golden Gate Bridge Tuesday morning, damaging some equipment in the plaza and breaking the truck's front axle, according to the California Highway Patrol and Golden Gate Bridge District officials.

The crash was reported at 8:43 a.m. in the third southbound lane from the left at the toll plaza on the southern end of the bridge, CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said.

The toll plaza was damaged, and the front axle of the truck snapped in the accident, Barclay said. No injuries were reported.

Golden Gate Bridge spokeswoman Mary Currie said the big-rig driver had tried to use a lane that was too narrow for the truck. Large trucks are supposed to use the wider No. 1 and No. 2 lanes of the plaza, she said.

She said tolling equipment was damaged but the damage is “not a big deal.”

The big-rig remained disabled until about 9:40 a.m. and blocked three southbound lanes at the toll plaza until around 10:30 a.m., Barclay said. Although the crash initially caused a minor backup on the bridge, he said traffic began moving smoothly soon after.

Currie said the truck was towed away and all lanes were clear at 11 a.m. The truck was traveling from Sonoma County to San Francisco.