Damaged expansion joint on northbound I-5 in Arlington caused traffic backup

ARLINGTON, Wash. — Drivers heading north on Interstate 5 approaching the Stillaguamish River experienced traffic delays as an expansion joint closed all but one lane of the freeway.

At 7:21 p.m. on Monday, The Washington State Patrol (WSP) announced on their X account that an expansion joint had come loose and was sticking up in the roadway.

This occurred near milepost 209 in Arlington.

Northbound traffic was reduced to two lanes until the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) arrived to make repairs.

Drivers were advised to find alternate routes as the backup reached nearly 3 miles at one point.

According to WSP, a few cars hit the expansion joint but no injuries were reported.

WSDOT crews have reduced northbound I-5 to one lane as repairs are being made.