Community Corner

WSDOT: Expect Long I-5 Backups Due to Collapsed Skagit Bridge

Travelers planning to head North on the Memorial Day Weekend are encouraged to plan alternate routes and use WSDOT's travel planning tools.

This story was written and reported by Jeanne Gustafson.

The Washington State Department of Transportation said it expects long backups over the Memorial Day Weekend as travelers lose a straight shot to Northern Washington and Canada with the I-5 Skagit River Bridge out of commission.

The investigation continues into why a section of that bridge collapsed Thursday, May 23, dumping several cars and three people into the river, but WSDOT said Friday that reports indicate a span near the north end of the bridge was damaged by a commercial vehicle. State officials are investigating, and National Transportation Safety Board investigators are expected to arrive before noon Friday.

Bart Treece, a WSDOT spokesman, said the bridge was not considered to be unsafe for use before the accident and will be rebuilt, but in the meantime, Washington State Department of Transportation crews have posted a signed detour to guide drivers through the area.

With more than 67,000 drivers using this stretch of I-5 each day, WSDOT asks drivers to avoid the area or expect long backups. Treece said one of the highest capacity alternate routes for travelers is state Route 9, but there are some other bridges near the I-5 Skagit River bridge that cross the river. 

Has the bridge collapse made you reconsider weekend travel plans? Tell us in the comments.
Crews will monitor traffic patterns and make adjustments to the detour route as needed. Once NTSB officials complete their investigation, WSDOT will move forward on removing debris from the Skagit River and replacing the bridge.For more information, use WSDOT’s travel tools:

  • WSDOT’s online tools, call the 511 travel information hotline. For out-of-state callers, it’s 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).
  • Download the WSDOT mobile app or find travel information email alerts and other tools, such as Twitter and Facebook.
  • On Twitter, look for #I-5BridgeCollapse and #SkagitRiverBridge.
  • Look for overhead and other roadside electronic signs.
  • Program your radio to highway advisory stations 530 AM or 1610 AM.


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