I-80 closed for at least two days due to massive landslide

Interstate 80 from Truckee east to the Nevada state line will be closed for at least 48 hours due to a massive landslide.

The slide ripped across the interstate at about 3 a.m. Saturday five miles east of Truckee. It trapped six big rigs and four Caltrans vehicles, according to Shelly Chernicki, a Caltrans spokeswoman. Everyone in the area at the time was rescued and no injuries were reported, but the vehicles are now stuck in the rugged Truckee River Canyon.

The debris slide started on the west side of the interstate and took out 300 to 400 feet of the center barrier. It has blocked both sides of the roadway. It will cost about $5 million to clean up the slide, officials said.

There are no detours currently available.

"We've had previous slides, but nothing of this magnitude," Chernicki said. "Emergency repairs won't start until the hillside stabilizes."

Highway 89 south was closed at about 8:15 a.m. from West River Street in Truckee south due to a debris slide near Cabin Creek Road. Officials are not giving an estimated time for Highway 89 to reopen.

Highway 89 north is closed from Truckee to Sierraville due to flooding, Chernicki said.

The closure of I-80 has caused a back-up of big rigs on Highway 267 south in the Martis Valley as they attempt to travel eastward.