BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Transportation said northbound Interstate 5, just north of Iowa Street in Bellingham, was closed because of a massive landslide Sunday morning.
According to a post on Facebook from the WSDOT, the landslide happened just before 6 a.m. Sunday on I-5 north of Iowa Street at milepost 254 in Bellingham. A semi was stuck in the mud as a result of the incident.
Crews were on the scene working to clear debris and fix damage to barriers and walls, a spokesperson for WSDOT said. In addition to clearing debris, the jersey barriers were pushed into the southbound lanes and needed to be realigned. Geotechnical experts evaluated the slope’s stability.
Crews cleared an estimated 2,000 cubic yards of debris, according to WSDOT. A tow truck was called to remove the semi-truck.
Around 12:30 p.m. WSDOT said that the semi had to be “unhitched from the trailer and crews needed to remove the cab and trailer separately.”
During the closure, WSDOT anticipated a 3-mile backup and WSP redirected traffic off I-5 at Lakeway and back on at Sunset.
WSDOT reported significant rainfall in the area, anticipating flooding on many nearby local roads.
KIRO 7 News Meteorologist Morgan Palmer said that more than 2 inches of rain fell Saturday night in Bellingham with more than 1 inch of rainfall drenching the area at 2 a.m.
“A reminder to drivers: We have water pooled over several roadways around Whatcom County from heavy rains. Do not drive through standing water and if you see a Road Closed sign, observe it. It’s there for your safety and the safety of crews who may be working on the other side. We will reopen roads as quickly and safely as we can,” WSDOT said.
A spokesperson with the WSDOT said that the area is not the same as a 2021 landslide, which was on Nulle Road.
All northbound roads were reopened at 3:01 p.m.
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