4-Car Crash May Hurt Your Commute Home

5:15pm Update
Happily this was a non-injury collision with three cars towed and one driven away. The accident scene has been cleared and both lanes are now open. It will take a while yet for the northbound traffic jam that extends about 4 miles through Bellingham to clear. Avoid the area for at least the next 30 minutes. This will be the last update.

5:00pm Update
Here we are at the magic traffic hour and the northbound back up continues to get longer (now back to the Samish Way interchange). Do not think of getting on I-5 northbound anywhere from Sunset Drive south unless you have already taken a bathroom break, are really comfortable sitting in your car and are in no hurry to get home. Only one lane is open at the accident scene.

4:50pm Update
Northbound traffic remains backed up past the Lakeway Drive Interchange as there is only one lane open at the accident scene. Driving through town to get on I-5 northbound at Meridian, Northwest or Bakerview remains the best choice.

4:35pm Update
Traffic is now backed up 3 miles to the Lakeway Drive interchange. One lane remains open at the accident scene. Drivers remain advised to get on I-5 northbound at Meridian, Northwest or Bakerview.

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4:30pm Update
Northbound traffic is backed up 2.5 miles behind the accident scene to the Iowa Street interchange. Drivers are advised to get on I-5 northbound at Meridian, Northwest or Bakerview.

4:25pm Update
Responders are request at least three tow trucks. One lane of traffic just opened enabling traffic to slowly get past the accident scene northbound. Southbound is also backing up (the rubbernecker effect).

Original story:

Just after 4pm today, September 29th, Washington State Patrol, fire and aid units were dispatched to a 4-car accident on I-5 northbound between Sunset Drive and Meridian Avenue exits.