UPDATE as of 6 p.m.: All lanes are now open but WSDOT reports that backups extend seven miles.
INITIAL POST: A collision is blocking the two left lanes on southbound Interstate 5 at state Route 16.
The wreck was reported at 5:15 p.m.
State Patrol troopers, paramedics and state Department of Transportation workers are on scene.
Drivers should expect nighttime closures this week at the Interstate 5/ state Route 16 interchange.
Tonight through Thursday, state Department of Transportation crews will shut down two ramps at the interchange to prepare for an extended three-month closure of the northbound I-5 exit to the Tacoma City Center (Exit 133) that starts later this month as part of the Nalley Valley project.
Northbound I-5 to Tacoma City Center will close nightly from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. Drivers will be detoured off Exit 132. Also closing nightly will be eastbound SR 16 to northbound I-5 from 11:30 p.m. to 4 …
The Washington State Department of Transportation is getting the word out about this spring’s closure of the northbound Downtown Tacoma exit (aka 133) with a new video that show drivers how to navigate the detour. The ramp will close around-the-clock for about three months in late April or early May as part of the latest phase of the Nalley Valley project. Here’s the helpful video:
For more info, here’s a Q&A on the detour.
And here’s a map from WSDOT.
UPDATE at 5:50 p.m. All lanes are now open.
INITIAL POST: A collision on eastbound state Route 16 at Union Avenue is causing traffic delays, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The accident occurred about 4:15 p.m.
WSDOT reports that the two right lanes are blocked and backups extend two miles.
First responders and Washington State Patrol troopers are on scene.
UPDATED at 2:03 p.m.
Both lanes of westbound state Route 16 near Wollochet are blocked this afternoon because of a crash, the state DOT reports.
Drivers are getting around the scene using the right shoulder.
Emergency responders are on the scene.
The Washington State Patrol reports that a utility truck rolled over. The crash should be cleared shortly, trooper Guy Gill tweeted just after 2 p.m.
UPDATED at 2:53 p.m.
All lanes have reopened.
UPDATED at 11:42 a.m.
The westbound lanes of state Route 16 near Burnham Drive have reopened after slick roads this morning caused several crashes - including one that killed a woman, the state DOT and State Patrol report.
A 44-year-old woman was out of her vehicle, trying to help with another crash when she was struck and killed, State Patrol spokesman Guy Gill reported.
A State Patrol trooper was also hit and suffered knee and shoulder injuries. He was treated and released from the hospital.
According to Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One, two vehicles crashed about 5:20 a.m. …
Drivers were still waiting on state Route 16 and on various side streets to cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridges late this afternoon, hours after Washington State Patrol troopers closed both spans because of large ice chunks falling onto the bridge deck.
On the Gig Harbor side, Richard Heistand was heading to St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma to pick up his girlfriend who had just gone through surgery when his trip was delayed.
Several Bremerton Kitsap Airporter buses were also among the vehicles held up in traffic, causing passengers to miss their flights out of Sea-Tac Airport.
“I’ll miss …
The two right lanes of westbound state Route 16 over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge will close tonight as state Department of Transportation crews perform maintenance work on the road.
The lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. today (Tuesday) to 6 a.m. Wednesday. Crews will install steel shims to reinforce the roadway and repair a section of concrete.
The two left lanes will remain open to traffic, the DOT said in a news release.