Collisions on southbound I-5 lead to traffic delays; drivers warned of icy roads
Multiple collisions were reported on southbound Interstate 5 and state Routes 510, 512 and 16 on Tuesday morning as freezing overnight temperatures left ice on roadways, creating dangerous driving conditions.
Drivers traveling between Lacey and Tacoma might experience traffic delays. Collisions were reported on southbound I-5 near Nisqually, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and on state Route 510 in Lacey, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Backups were also reported on westbound state Route 512 between Lakewood and Puyallup. Traffic was reduced to one lane at the state Route 512 off-ramp from the interstate for cleanup and recovery. The collision was cleared by about 8:10 a.m., but WSDOT said there were more than five miles of backups leading to Puyallup.
In Tacoma, a crash on westbound state Route 16 had the ramp to Sprague Avenue partially blocked at about 7:30 a.m. with backups beginning at Interstate 5 and 38th Street. The collision was cleared by about 8:10 a.m., reopening the off-ramp to Sprague Avenue.
WSDOT said crews treated roads overnight for ice and snow, but conditions were still dangerous by morning. Washington State Patrol trooper Robery Reyer said troopers had responded to 71 collisions in Pierce and Thurston counties by 7:40 a.m.
The collision near Nisqually on southbound Interstate 5 was reported at about 6:14 a.m. near McCallister Creek, according to a WSDOT tweet. The collision blocked the left lane.
The southbound Interstate 5 collision near Joint Base Lewis-McChord was reported at about 6:50 a.m. near the main gate. The collision was reportedly cleared by about 7:10 a.m.
In Lacey, a collision on state Route 510 was reported at about 6:30 a.m. near Mullen Road. The collision fully blocked the roadway and travelers were advised to consider alternate routes.
This story was originally published December 14, 2021 at 7:48 AM.
