Collision involving corrosive substances causes major delays on I-5 through Olympia

A semi-truck collision involving corrosive substances shut down Interstate 5 through Olympia -- in both directions -- for most of Monday night and into Tuesday morning, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

At about 10:40 p.m. Monday night, a collision at milepost 103.98 near Custer Way closed down northbound Interstate 5.

Shortly after, both directions of I-5 were closed and traffic was diverted onto State Route 101 while the Washington Department of Ecology assessed the scene for HAZMAT concerns.

WSP says given the hazardous signs on the semi they called the Department of Ecology, workers suited up, and began investigating.

“The materials that we believed to be on it were caustic, and would be damaging to the lungs and airways if they were to be breathed in,” said Trooper Dattilo.

After an investigation the Department of Ecology determined the materials were not hazardous.

Regardless of the outcome Washington State Patrol says situations like this need to be handled with extreme caution.

WSP says no one was injured during the wreck, and say speed might have played a role.

“The factor of the collision we’ve determined to be was to be too fast for the conditions, with the wet roadways, with the type of load her was caring,” said Trooper Dattilo.

Just before 7 a.m., southbound I-5 was reopened in Tumwater, however, the semi-truck was still on its side with crews working to clean up the spill.

Just before 10 a.m., northbound I-5 reopened to traffic.

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