SEATTLE — Multiple lanes were blocked on southbound I-5 during Thursday’s morning commute due to a crash right before the Mercer Street exit, approaching downtown Seattle.
“Big delays getting into downtown Seattle,” KIRO Newsradio Traffic reported early Thursday morning. “Crash just before Mercer is still blocking lanes.”
According to Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Rick Johnson, the collision causing the lane closures involved a motorcycle and other vehicles.
“Rider transported to Harborview with injuries,” Johnson wrote on X. “Multiple lanes will be blocked for a while. Update on injuries to come.”
Here is the scene. No ETA to clear at this time. pic.twitter.com/A6CHQQ84RC
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) April 30, 2026
Crews were on scene as of 5:30 a.m., but there was no ETA for when the lanes would reopen.
By 6 a.m., the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) shared that they were seeing 4+ miles of backup.
At around 7:15 a.m., WSDOT posted that multiple lanes remained closed, with no ETA on reopening. Incident Response and State Patrol were on scene investigating at that time. Drivers were told to expect lengthy delays or seek alternate routes.
By 8 a.m, only the left lane remained blocked, but WSDOT told drivers to continue to expect delays as traffic backups cleared.
UPDATE 5: Two right lanes and one left lane has reopened, while the left lane remains blocked on SB I-5 at Mercer St (MP 167) in Seattle.
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) April 30, 2026
Expect delays. https://t.co/TA1umfih9Y pic.twitter.com/R9V6i5lx3f
This is a developing story, check back for updates
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This story was originally posted to MyNorthwest.com
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