Multiple crashes on southbound U.S. Highway 101 have created a traffic nightmare for commuters heading out of San Francisco this morning.

Two separate crashes occurred on the highway in the area of Cesar Chavez Street at about 7 a.m.

One appears to have involved about eight vehicles and the other involved four, California Highway Patrol Officer Ron Simmons said.

Only minor injuries were reported, but southbound traffic has slowed to a crawl, Simmons said at about 7:25 a.m.

“Traffic’s backing up across the Bay Bridge right now,” he said.

He recommended that motorists use alternate routes such as Interstate Highway 280 or city streets.

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