Massive oversize load clogs southbound I-5 in Tulalip, still stuck on shoulder hours later
Sep 23, 2026, 1:54 PM
An oversize load pulled over on the freeway in Tulalip. (Photo courtesy of KIRO Newsradio listener Jim)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO Newsradio listener Jim)
Drivers between Arlington and Marysville experienced up to 30-minute delays on southbound I-5 Wednesday morning after a massive, oversize load lumbered down the freeway.
I started seeing backups just after 6 a.m. near Smokey Point, and KIRO Newsradio listeners were texting me that an oversize load was taking up most of the freeway.
Just before 7 a.m., I found the load pulled over on the side of the freeway, just south of the 88th Street on-ramp in Tulalip. I figured it had pulled over because, at that time of the morning, oversize loads are not allowed on that stretch of I-5.
And this was no simple oversize load. It appeared to be a large, pre-fab storage unit or workshop that could easily hold four cars. The distraction of this thing sitting on the side of the road caused delays for several hours during the morning commute. At one point, several Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers were pulled in behind it.
An oversize load pulled over on the freeway in Tulalip. (Photo courtesy of KIRO Newsradio listener Jim)
I figured the load would simply get back on the road when the prohibition on oversize loads ended at 9 a.m., but it was still there hours later.
RELATED STORIES
WSP says oversize load was supposed to be off I-5 by 5 a.m., working on possible citation
I have asked WSP if the driver was cited for parking illegally on the side of I-5 or for potentially violating its trip permit, and why this unit was still there hours later. Under state law, oversize loads are allowed to drive on southbound I-5 between milepost 206.08 in Arlington and milepost 199.11 in Marysville until 7 a.m.
They are not allowed on southbound I-5 south of milepost 199.11 after 6 a.m.
WSP told me it’s still working on a potential citation. Authorities noted the load was supposed to be off I-5 at 5 a.m., and they’re not sure why it’s still on the freeway.
WSP said the plan is to remove the load overnight. Its final destination is Cle Elum.
Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here. Follow KIRO Newsradio traffic on X.
Follow @https://twitter.com/newsguysully
