Snoqualmie Pass, WA : Rockslide causes crashes; closes westbound I-90 on Tuesday morning, January 6, 2015
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
One line of traffic will reopen on westbound Interstate 90 after a large rock crashed down onto the highway, causing a multi-vehicle crash on Tuesday morning.
The crash and rockslide occurred six miles east of the Snoqualmie Pass summit about 5:15 a.m. and involved an SUV and two semi trucks.
The rock, which is about three feet in diameter, came down onto I-90 and was first hit by a semi, then an SUV.
The driver of the second semi said he was heading to Seattle from Yakima when he saw the wreck, but it was too late for him to avoid the rock in the middle of the highway.
He struck the rock and then the Jersey barrier.
The vehicles and rock have been cleared from the road and backed up traffic was allowed to pass by, but no other vehicles will be allowed to go west until the hillside can be assessed for safety. It is not yet known when the westbound lanes might reopen.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said more than 8 inches of rain fell the past 24 hours saturated the soil and caused the rock fall. WSDOT and contractor crews are working to set 1000 feet of barrier in preparation to hopefully open the lanes later Tuesday.
Traffic is stopped near Price Creek and near Easton.
One person has a minor injury.
Source :
Westbound I-90 to reopen after rockslide causes crashes