AASHTO Journal, 24 May 2013
Washington State Department of Transportation officials and local emergency response rescuers were pressed into action late Thursday when a portion of an Interstate 5 bridge located near Mount Vernon, about an hour north of Seattle, apparently collapsed, sending vehicles into the Skagit River below.
There were no reports of fatalities from the incident.
WSDOT officials established a detour early Friday morning but asked that motorists try to avoid the heavily traveled area while state and local investigators work on determining the cause.
According to WSDOT’s official news release, investigators are looking into reports that a span near the north end of the bridge was damaged by a commercial vehicle. State officials are investigating, and National Transportation Safety Board investigators are expected to arrive before noon Friday.
“With more than 67,000 drivers using this stretch of I-5 each day, WSDOT asks drivers to avoid the area or expect long backups. Crews will monitor traffic patterns and make adjustments to the detour route as needed,” the release said. “Once NTSB officials complete their investigation, WSDOT will move forward on removing debris from the Skagit River and replacing the bridge.”
State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste told reporters that a semi-truck driven southbound struck the bridge just before part of it collapsed.
“The size of the load he was carrying appeared to create a problem, causing him to strike the bridge,” Batiste reportedly told Reuters.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee said in a statement, “I’m thankful there were no fatalities tonight. I want to thank the U.S. Border Patrol, our State Patrol and local fire, police and other emergency personnel who participated in a very successful rescue effort. Our hearts are with those who have been injured and we hope to hear good news soon of their speedy recovery.”
Inslee’s statement encouraged witnesses or people with information to contact the Washington State Patrol.
“The National Transportation Safety Board is on their way tomorrow, and I’ve been in touch with our federal partners,” he said. “We will be involved in a vigorous and diligent effort to get traffic flowing again through the Skagit bridge corridor and I will issue an emergency proclamation tomorrow to make sure we have the resources to do so as quickly as possible. This is an opportunity for us to pull together to show strength of character and patience and good citizenship as we deal with this disruption.”
