I-405 shut down during morning commute after series of crashes

RENTON, Wash. — The Washington State Patrol (WSP) spent most of the morning responding to numerous incidents along Interstate 405 after low temperatures and icy conditions caused slick and dangerous road conditions across Western Washington during Tuesday’s morning commute.

Around 8 a.m., the situation became so severe that the entire southbound side of I-405 was shut down at the I-90 interchange to deal with slippery conditions that were causing major issues for drivers. A KIRO 7 crew was in the area at the time and saw that traffic was blocked, though one far left lane was later reopened and traffic was moving through slowly.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was called in to treat the roadway and ensure safety before it could reopen.

WSDOT warned drivers to watch for compact snow, wind, and icy conditions. Drivers were reminded to plan for extra travel time, delay their travel if possible, pack some warm layers, fully clear their windows of ice and snow, take it slow, and don’t brake hard or crowd snowplows. Also, coffee.

Just after 4 a.m., a semi-truck rollover caused a fire that blocked all lanes on I-405 northbound at SR 169 in Renton.

Law enforcement, fire crews, and the Incident Response Team responded to the collision.

Traffic trickled by using the SR 169 off and on-ramps. By 6 a.m., the traffic backup stretched about 2 miles to SR 167, with no estimated time for lanes to reopen. Drivers were told to continue to expect delays in the area and use alternate routes.

Trooper Rick Johnson with the Washington State Patrol added that the collision was a semi-truck / car minor injury collision.

Traffic was diverted off the exit to SR 169. Tow trucks were on the way around 5 a.m., but Trooper Johnson warned that this collision would take a while to clean up, and commuters should use alternate routes.

Just after 6 a.m., another collision on northbound I-405 prompted a response from fire crews, the Washington State Patrol, and the Incident Responmse team.

By 6:35 a.m., the collision had cleared, but drivers were told to expect continued delays as traffic cleared through the area.

Around 6:45 a.m., the Washington State Department of Transportation shared another collision on I-405 in Bellevue. The two left lanes on NB I-405 at SE 8th Street were blocked for the crash. Incident Response, State Patrol, and fire crews responded.

By 7 a.m., the collision had cleared.

For the most recent traffic updates, visit WSDOT Traffic.

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