BELLEVUE, Wash. — It's not Groundhog Day, but northbound Interstate 405 experienced yet another closure due to serious accidents. This time, it happened on Wednesday morning, just south of SE 8th St. All lanes were initially blocked, but they have since reopened. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), multiple vehicles were tangled up in the crash, which was first reported around 4:20 AM.
The Bellevue Fire Department responded to the scene, addressing several non-injury collisions resulting from the icy conditions. The dangerous weather did not just halt traffic on I-405. Nearby, there were also multiple spinouts and collisions on the highway itself, including additional accidents reported near NE 44th St in Renton and another scene involving several cars hit on the southbound lanes of I-405. Just the day prior, traffic was similarly disrupted after a semi-truck rolled over and caught fire on the same interstate, closing lanes for over five hours.
But the troubles didn’t stop there. WSDOT also issued alerts for drivers to be cautious on other local freeways as winter weather continued to complicate commutes. Trucks and cars alike were involved in crashes on Interstate 5, affecting areas like Marysville, Everett, and SeaTac, as well as incidents reported on State Route 520.
On February 4, 2025, yet another serious incident occurred on northbound I-405 near the State Route 169 interchange when another semi-truck tipped over. That crash was reported around 4:15 AM, resulting in the complete shutdown of the northbound lanes. Though the HOV lane reopened, significant delays remained with traffic described as backed up nearly five miles from the crash site. WSDOT advised the traffic was being rerouted through State Route 169, as police and emergency crews worked tirelessly to clear the wreckage and restore order.
Reports indicated the truck caught fire following the rollover, prompting swift responses from police, firefighters, and WSDOT's incident response team. There was initial uncertainty about any injuries sustained; thankfully, no serious injuries were reported. This alarming incident sparked concerns over the state of the highways and raised questions about the overall safety of winter driving conditions.
The WSDOT has been continuously reminding local drivers of the challenges posed by winter weather. A recent update noted they would undertake maintenance work and close both lanes of the State Route 99 tunnel starting at 10 PM on February 7, intending to conduct fire suppression testing and other tasks. While communication was initially ambiguous about the timeline, the closure was postponed.
Meanwhile, drivers using I-90 near Cheney also faced frustrations on Wednesday morning after yet another semi-truck rolled over, blocking westbound traffic. The WSDOT-East office indicated substantial delays were expected, particularly following the overnight snowfall, which created treacherous driving conditions throughout the Inland Northwest.
WSDOT's traffic monitoring cameras and live updates highlighted the ever-growing toll winter weather is having on Washington's expressways. With multiple incidents occurring simultaneously and drivers experiencing increased waiting times, local authorities implore residents to exercise patience and caution on the roads.
These persistent hazardous conditions raise awareness about the need for vigilant driving practices. Commuters are urged to stay updated with real-time traffic reports and adjust their travel plans accordingly, especially when inclement weather looms. Without question, winter driving can be unpredictable, yet it's clear from the recent incidents on both I-405 and I-90, road safety remains imperative for the region's drivers.