Delays dragged commuting times on both sides of I-5 near Everett Thursday

Drivers on Interstate 5 (I-5) north of Everett Thursday morning saw delays on both sides of the highway due to a collision and construction.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) posted on X at 5:44 a.m. about a collision on I-5 south north of State Route 526 (SR 526) in Everett that was blocking the two right lanes, adding that medical aid, fire assistance, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Incident Response team were on scene.

At that time, the agency warned travelers the backup was “about 2 miles and growing.”

Just before 6:30 a.m., WSDOT reported on X the collision was just blocking the right lane, but the backup grew to about four miles as the morning commute was getting heavier. The agency suggested drivers “prepare for delays and consider alternative routes.”

WSDOT provided another update on X a few minutes past 7 a.m. saying that the collision was cleared.

CLEARED: The collision on SB I-5 just north of SR 526 in Everett has cleared. https://t.co/QIkEb7jQZl

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) August 15, 2024

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Meanwhile, drivers who were heading north on I-5 also saw delays due to a construction project being completed Thursday morning. The night’s work was supposed to be completed at around 6 a.m., but workers are behind schedule lifting the construction cones, according to Chris Sullivan of KIRO Newsradio.

The construction cones are still up on NB 5 out of Everett. It’s going to run you 20 minutes to get to Marysville. +10 @wsdot_traffic pic.twitter.com/Vus5U4iMGg

— KIRO Newsradio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) August 15, 2024

Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, or email him here.