Problematic stretch of I-5 in Tacoma sees yet another semi collision
Jul 10, 2019, 2:24 PM | Updated: 6:33 pm
A semi collided with a work zone Wednesday afternoon. (WSDOT)
(WSDOT)
After months without a new incident, a problematic stretch of I-5 in Tacoma notorious for its frequent collisions saw yet another semi crash block traffic.
Initially, all lanes of southbound I-5 in Tacoma were blocked, after a semi truck collided with a work zone. After roughly 30 to 40 minutes, the two left lanes were reopened. Hours later, crews had finally fully removed the semi, and reopened all lanes.
According to KIRO Radio Traffic Reporter Tracy Taylor, the area hasn’t seen a collision and subsequent backup of this magnitude since late March.
In April, WSDOT lowered the speed limit along that stretch of freeway starting in Fife, extending south of the Tacoma Dome. That move came after eight separate crashes involving semis occurred between September 2018 and March 2019.
Between April 1, 2018 and March 31 there were 1,574 collisions between milepost 130 and milepost 136, the State Patrol said. Of those, 15 percent – 237 collisions – involved speeding.
For this latest incident, WSDOT is reporting backups on southbound I-5 extending all the way to Federal Way, and is advising drivers to delay trips in the area, or consider alternate routes.
