BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers responded to a report of an oversized load blocking a lane of northbound I-5 in Bellingham about 12:30pm today, October 6th.
According to WSP Trooper Rocky Oliphant, troopers arrived to find a semi truck with a trailer hauling a large tractor was slightly too high to clear the overpass in the lane it was in. A lead pilot car warned the semi truck driver not to attempt to go under the overpass so they could stop before striking the overpass.
As of 12:55pm, Oliphant said it was decided to reapproach the overpass at the middle, its highest point. Accomplishing that will require closing both lanes of northbound I-5. At that time, the traffic backup extended south over 1 mile to the Lakeway Drive interchange.
The on-ramp to northbound I-5 at Iowa Street was closed about 1:30pm and both northbound I-5 lanes were closed while they reapproached the overpass. Soon after, it was reported the load had cleared the overpass and all lanes were reopened.
Oliphant said the WSP’s Commercial Vehicle Division would be notified.