Collision on SB I-5 in Lakewood brings sign holder crashing down, closing all lanes
A large road sign holder known as a gantry crashed onto Interstate 5 in Pierce County shortly after midnight Tuesday morning, blocking all southbound lanes for about six hours and causing significant traffic delays.
Officials said a driver hit part of the structure and caused it to fall.
The incident occurred at about 12:03 a.m. near Gravelly Lake Drive, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. Southbound traffic backups began to grow about 5 a.m. as crews worked to lower the structure to the ground and move it to the shoulder.
Traffic was detoured off Interstate 5 to Bridgeport Way.
It’s unclear how the collision occurred. Washington State Patrol Trooper Robert Reyer shared photos on Twitter of a white car crashed on the side of a small embankment.
WSDOT crews used a crane to lower the structure to the ground at about 5:09 a.m. The sign was moved to the shoulder by about 5:45 and southbound lanes were reopened about 15 minutes later.
This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 7:32 AM.
