All southbound lanes blocked on state Route 509 near Tacoma
Update, 4:16 p.m.: In a news release, WSP said the driver was a 58-year-old man from Elma, WA in Grays Harbor County.
The man was driving northbound on state Route 509 just south of Port of Tacoma Road, when the trailer detached from his truck and hit the barrier in the median.
Watts told The News Tribune the barrier broke into 24 pieces, which is why the clean-up is taking a long time.
The roadway remains partially blocked for barrier repair, the release said. The man was charged for driving with defective equipment.
Update, 1:57 p.m.: No other cars were involved in the collision, Trooper Kameron Watts posted on X.
The roadway is still closed as the Department of Transportation clears the southbound lanes.
Update, 1:00 p.m.: One lane is open in both directions on SR 509 near Port of Tacoma Road, the Washington Department of Transportation shared on X.
A log truck traveling on northbound on SR 509 crashed into the median this morning, pushing concrete barriers into the southbound lanes.
The damaged log truck needs to be offloaded and towed before more lanes can open, the post said.
Congestion will continue on SR 509 as crews work to clear the lanes.
Original story: All lanes on southbound state Route 509 near Portland Avenue are blocked.
Trooper Kameron Watts, spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol, told The News Tribune a collision happened on northbound state Route 509 at about 11:13 a.m., and the collision displaced a barrier and pushed the barrier into the southbound lanes.
“Closures will be in place until crews get the buried back to where it’s supposed to be,” Watts said.
Traffic by Port of Tacoma Road is being diverted, Watts said.
Watts did not have any information about the crash, including if there were serious injuries or deaths, because crews were still arriving on scene.
“Please stay clear of the area to avoid being caught up in the back up while crews work to clean up the scene,” Watts wrote in a post on X.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 11:43 AM.
