Multiple vehicle crash at Southcenter slows commute

A multiple vehicle crash in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 at Southcenter this morning has slowed traffic traveling toward Seattle.

Washington State Patrol Sgt. Dan Atchison said that a dump truck, a semi and several cars were involved in the crash which is at the Interstate 405 interchange. He said the dump truck is in the roadway and the trailer of the semi jackknifed. Surprisingly, he said, there were no major injuries. It’s unclear what caused the accident.

The multiple vehicle crash blocked the right two lanes are blocked, leaving two lanes and the carpool lane open for commuters.

“It sounds like it is a pretty big mess. Everything is backed up,” Atchison said.

Bart Treece, a Department of Transportation (WSDOT) spokesman, said that motorists should expect the commute from Federal Way to Seattle to take more than 91 minutes. He said “on a good day” that same commute should take 45 minutes.

Around 8:30, WSDOT upped the commute time to 104 minutes from Federal Way to Seattle. The Federal Way to Bellevue commute was estimated at 122 minutes.

“It’s tough all over,” Treece said. “It’s nasty outside and we expect it to get nastier because the storm is moving in. “

Comments | More in The Blotter, Traffic & Transit | Topics: Southcenter, Traffic accident, Washington Department of Transportation

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