Update: Southbound 101 Lanes Fixed, Caltrans Says

Two lanes of southbound Highway 101 in Novato that had been closed several hours for pothole repairs reopened at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the
California Highway Patrol.

The lanes were closed between De Long Avenue and the Highway 37/South Novato Boulevard exit at 10:30 a.m., Caltrans spokesman Allyn Amsk
said. Motorists were advised to take state Highway 116 to Highway 37 and return to southbound Highway 101, Amsk said.

The CHP reported that several cars' tires were flattened by the pothole at about  5:30 a.m. and that the asphalt was coming apart between Rowland Boulevard and Highway 37. A Sig-alert was issued at 6:17 a.m. for emergency road repairs.

Caltrans temporarily repaired the pothole for the morning commute and closed the lanes again for permanent repairs mid-morning. The work created a massive traffic backup for the morning rush hour.

Initial reports said the repairs were expected to be complete at about 7:15 a.m., but Caltrans issued the road closure notice at 9:57 a.m. and started work at 10:30 a.m.

— Bay City News Service