All lanes of I-5 have reopened in Tacoma after 2 separate crashes

All lanes of I-5 in Tacoma reopened at 10:40 a.m. after hours of closures and gridlock in the areas Monday morning.

The freeway was completely shut down between South 38th Street and State Route 16 for hours. Northbound drivers used collector-distributor lanes to move around the scene before all lanes reopened around 10:06 a.m. Southbound traffic used 38th Street to move around the blockage before all southbound lanes reopened at 10:39 a.m.

Around 2:45 a.m., a box truck heading southbound struck debris on the road near SR 16, causing it to crash into a Jersey barrier, according to Washington State Patrol. It pushed six sections of the barrier into northbound lanes, causing additional collisions.

Traffic had backed up on the freeway following the box truck incident.

Around 3:28 a.m., a semi truck traveling northbound crashed into the center barrier around 38th Street. It pushed sections of the barrier into the southbound lanes. The driver told Washington State troopers that he was not able to slow down for traffic that was backed up on the freeway. The semi truck — which had no trailer — lost control and went into the barrier.

Crews were working to move the barriers back into place all morning as a five mile backup formed. Some minor injuries were reported.

Here’s a look at the jersey barrier that they are trying to repair and put back on NB 5 near Hwy 16 pic.twitter.com/QK8vr5yezY

— TracyTaylorTraffic (@TracyTTraffic) October 8, 2018

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