All lanes back open after protesters disrupt traffic on I-880 in Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — Protesters shut down I-880 in Oakland for several hours Monday morning. Northbound and southbound lanes of I-880 were completely shut down at one point, according to the California Highway Patrol.

All lanes are now back open on northbound and southbound I-880 in Oakland, according to the CHP. Residual delays are expected.

Golden Gate Bridge traffic blocked by protest

About 300 protesters blocked an onramp to I-880 in Oakland where they were confronted by a number of CHP officers. Protesters eventually dispersed from the area and walked away down 7th Street into Oakland.

According to the CHP, the protesters refused to comply with orders to disperse and arrests are taking place. The nearby West Oakland BART Station was briefly closed due to police activity, according to BART.

Earlier, seven protesters chained themselves to six concrete-filled 55-gallon drums weighing 280 pounds each and blocked northbound I-880. The CHP said it is still working to remove those individuals and that they will be arrested.

Authorities spent several hours cutting protesters out of concrete-filled barrels they were chained to on northbound I-880. A third protest on northbound I-880 near I-980 in West Oakland also impacted traffic. That protest reportedly involves about 100 people.

“Attempting to block or shut down a freeway or state highway to protest is unlawful, dangerous, and prevents motorists from safely reaching their destinations,” the CHP said in a statement. “As necessary, the CHP will take enforcement action that includes, but is not limited to, issuing citations, impounding vehicles, arresting individuals who intentionally block traffic on the state’s transportation system or pose a threat to public safety.”

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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