About 7:30am this morning, December 9th, officials with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reported all northbound and southbound lanes were closed after an incident on I-5 involving a semi truck and a bridge over the Skagit River.
WSDOT officials say traffic is being detoured around the closed section at George Hopper Road (milepost 229) and at E College Way (milepost 227).
At about 7:20am Washington State Patrol Trooper Heather Axtman said via Twitter inspectors had arrived at the scene and more were on their way.
Here is a visual of traffic being diverted from the Skagit River Bridge on I-5. Reminder: NB and SB lanes are closed for the collision. pic.twitter.com/HLVe0xm7QD
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As of 7:45am, no estimate for reopening the I-5 lanes had been given but WSDOT official said “this could take a while.”
According to a twitter post at about 4:45am, Axtman said the semi truck struck a barrier and broke its front axle. There were no other vehicles involved and no injuries were reported.
UPDATES
8:15am
WSDOT says debris from the crash had been cleared and bridge inspectors were beginning their work.
9am
WSDOT advises, “plan for a long term closure of the Skagit River Bridge today. Our team is heading up from Olympia to inspect the bridge. Please plan your trip accordingly and check back here for updates, no ETA at this time.”
11:30am
All lanes, northbound and southbound, have been reopened to all traffic according to WSP. According to the following photos provided by WSDOT, the barrier damage occurred on a barrier along right side of the southbound lanes approaching the a concrete-girder structure installed to replace a section of truss bridge that fell into the river after being struck by an oversize load in 2013.
