580 traffic: Traffic on eastbound Interstate 580 in Livermore gradually returned to normal Friday evening after a major police response shut down lanes for several hours near Isabel Avenue.
According to the California Highway Patrol, all eastbound lanes of I-580 were temporarily closed at State Route 84 after authorities responded to reports of a person on the Isabel Avenue freeway overpass experiencing a mental health crisis.
The incident began around 1 p.m. Friday, prompting a large emergency response involving CHP officers, the Livermore Police Department, and the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department. Officials stated that the individual had reportedly climbed over the protective fencing above the freeway, leading officers to immediately secure the area and begin negotiations.
“We are negotiating with an individual on the overpass experiencing a mental health crisis,” CHP officials shared in a public update during the incident.
Authorities warned motorists to avoid the area and use alternate routes, including State Route 84 into Livermore or Interstate 680 connecting to State Route 4. The freeway closure caused significant traffic backups throughout the East Bay commute, with delays stretching for miles during the busy Friday afternoon travel period.
Witnesses reported seeing a heavy police and emergency personnel presence near the overpass as negotiators worked to safely resolve the situation.
By Friday evening, eastbound lanes of I-580 had reopened, allowing traffic to slowly resume normal flow. Officials have not released additional information regarding the individual involved, and the incident remains under active review.