ALTA, Calif. — A winter storm created challenges for drivers heading up to the Tahoe area Thursday. Many cars and trucks were met with road closures and chain checkpoints coming up to the Sierra as conditions made the roads unsafe.
I-80 was closed for a portion of the day due to spinouts on the road and unsafe driving conditions, according to Caltrans. Chains were still required into the evening hours as the snowfall from earlier in the day turned into a mix of wet, slushy snow.
Trucker Jerry Halikas was one of several drivers along I-80 Thursday evening. He was on the roads from morning to evening as the winter storm blew through the area.
"This morning was poor visibility. This afternoon coming back was poor visibility," he said.
He said he drives the truck 6 days a week, moving mail from Sparks, Nevada over Donner Pass and down I-80. At times, it can get dangerous.
"God's with me all the time. I got taken off the road--some guy cut in front of me," he recounted. "I went off the road, I almost didn't make it back, but at least I was going down hill and I had momentum so I'm here."
The conditions prompted multiple road closures. I-80 eastbound was closed down near Alta at Exit 146 for more than 3 hours Thursday evening due to spinouts and unsafe driving conditions, according to Caltrans.
An ABC10 news crew counted more than 50 cars and trucks trying to wait it out along the side of the highway. Many families were trying to head up to the Tahoe area to enjoy the snow, including the Wright family.
"We're glad they stopped us because the ground was slippery, but we're excited because there's at least snow right here because the kids were able to play some," said Kiearra Wright, from Dixon.
They were hoping to make it to Truckee and see the snow as part of her son's birthday celebration, but they got stuck in the I-80 road closure.
Instead, her kids made snowballs off of one of the nearby exits as they waited for the road to reopen.
"We get to do some snow fights and make pictures," said 6-year-old Alan Wright.
After an hour of waiting, the Wright family and others were redirected to head back west by Caltrans crews.
With more wintry weather on the way this weekend, Caltrans said drivers should prepare for long travel times and chain controls.
Caltrans said the best time to travel up to the Sierra would be Friday to avoid the delays as the next storm system comes in.
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