Dec.
24th
LIVE BLOGGING: Christmas Eve travel conditions
Welcome to the Christmas Eve live travel blog.
We’ll provide periodic updates on the road and pass conditions throughout the region as you head out for the holidays.
You can also check the latest conditions on the state Department of Transportation Web site.
We’ll put the most recent information at the top of the posts below.
6:45 p.m.: Some congestion on the I-5 southbound through Tacoma, but it’s still moving.
DOT workers are doing some road maintenance on northbound I-5 in Federal Way that is closing the HOV lane. Traffic cameras aren’t showing any repercussions from the closed lane.
5 p.m.: Though there are people on the roads, no accidents or backups are slowing things down on I-5 anywhere between Everett and Portland. Things are a little crowded both directions through Olympia but clear up quickly.
4:57 p.m.: The right lane is blocked by a stalled vehicle on State Route 167 at the West Valley Highway.
3:52 p.m.: A stalled semi-truck is partially blocking the onramp from northbound 167 to southbound I-405.
3 p.m.: The highways are starting to fill up a bit. Moderate traffic is reported in parts of King County.
Traction tires continue to be required on Snoqualmie and White passes. On Stevens Pass, traction tires are still advised.
2:40 p.m.: Here’s an afternoon report from DOT.
*Travel remains light on most urban Puget Sound highways.
*While tapering off in Seattle and Tacoma, the snow is still coming down in the South Puget Sound, Southwest Washington, North Olympic Peninsula, Cascade Mountains and Eastern Washington.
*WSDOT Avalanche Control crews may need to stop traffic on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass for up to two hours between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m.
*The Port Townsend/Keystone Steilacoom II ferry 1:30 p.m. departure from Keystone was delayed 21 minutes due to high winds.
2:20 p.m.: A crash is blocking the left lane of northbound I-405 at State Route 522 near Bothell. It was previously blocking more lanes. One lane has been opened to traffic, the state DOT reported.
Troopers, firefighters and medical aid were on the scene.
12:30 p.m.: Another travel nugget from the AP:
A southbound semi-truck went into the median of Interstate-5 at Kelso, slid between northbound and southbound overpass bridges and crashed down on the street below into a retaining wall.
KLOG reports the driver was trapped for nearly an hour Wednesday and was taken to St. John Medical Center with serious injuries.
The wrecked truck also leaked fuel and closed Allen Street.
Noon: The highways continue to look good for travelers. Traffic thickens up here and there but the DOT traffic cameras are showing no major congestion through the Puget Sound region.
Highway 18 at the Tiger Summit has been an issue. There was an accident blocking all eastbound lanes at the Issaquah Hobart Road. That was reported at 11:35 a.m.
A disabled car was blocking the right lane of southbound Interstate 405 at Southeast Eighth Street.
As for the mountain passes, traction tires are now required to go over Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass. Chains are required for vehicles with more than 10,000 gross vehicle weight. Oversized vehicles are still prohibited.
Traction tires are advised for Stevens Pass.
The Associated Press reports the only highway to Neah Bay has been reopened. Crews have cleared one lane through a rockslide that covered Highway 112 on Monday.
10:49 a.m.: A diesel spill has been reported between southbound Interstate 5 and Interstate 705.
9:50 a.m.: The jack-knifed semi truck has been cleared and all lanes of State Route 599 are open to traffic.
9:20 a.m.: A jack-knifed semi truck is blocking the left lane of northbound State Route 599 in Seattle. This activity is just south of East Marginal Way.
Troopers are on the scene.