Hours after crash, all lanes of NB I-5 reopen south of Olympia
Dec 15, 2016, 6:50 AM | Updated: 9:52 am
Multiple crashes blocked all lanes of NB I-5 south of Olympia Thursday morning. (KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
Update 4: All lanes of northbound I-5 in Maytown reopened after a multi-vehicle crash that blocked most of the roadway Thursday morning.
Update 3: An investigation into the multi-vehicle crash on northbound I-5 may be taking longer because a fire department vehicle was involved.
According to a Thurston County fire spokesperson, a fire department command vehicle was hit while responding to the scene around 5:30 a.m.
Update 2: The crash that has the majority of northbound I-5 south of Olympia blocked has no estimated time to reopen.
Washington State Trooper Todd Bartolac says one driver was injured in the multi-vehicle crash this morning. The driver was transported to a nearby hospital for head and hip injuries.
No estimated time to fully reopen NB I-5 in Maytown/Exit 95. I-5 reduced to 1 lane. Expect delays. If possible, please delay trips. pic.twitter.com/zzkpODQo9y
— WSDOT Tacoma Traffic (@wsdot_tacoma) December 15, 2016
Update 1:
The Washington State Department of Transportation reports one lane of NB I-5 near milepost 95 in Maytown reopened just before 7 a.m. The other lanes are closed due to multiple crashes.
Lots of brake lights on NB I-5 at mp 95 south of Oly due to collisions. NB lanes closed; detour thru interchange. Patience needed this a.m. pic.twitter.com/y8cjkvPeTV
— WSDOT Tacoma Traffic (@wsdot_tacoma) December 15, 2016
There is a five-mile backup due to the crashes south of Olympia.
Snow dissipating
Pockets of snow are still being reported this morning as dozens of school districts deal with weather-related delays.
KIRO 7 Meteorologist Nick Allard says flurries will continue throughout the morning, but everything will begin to clear out as the morning progresses.
Some areas, mainly east of Puget Sound, received a half-inch to 1 inch of snow overnight. More snow was reported from Olympia south into Chehalis, with reports of 1 inch or more.
Parts of Oregon got hit much worse than Western Washington. This video, shot Wednesday evening, shows just how bad things are in areas of Portland.
In Washington, Allard says northeasterly winds will pick up Thursday night in the North Interior. He predicts a stronger push of cold air into Western Washington that should keep highs in the low 30s or even the upper 20s on Friday. A wind advisory has been issued for Whatcom and San Juan counties overnight Thursday until noon Friday.
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