Find Posts By Topic

Tipped Tractor-Trailer Carrying Cargo of Crab Complicates Commute

UPDATE: As of about 6:30, the viaduct deck has been cleared. One northbound lane has been reopened and traffic is moving. The curb lane will remain closed until engineers have a chance to inspect damage to a light-pole and the guardrail.


Around 2:30 this afternoon, we received reports that a tractor-trailer travelling just north of Atlantic Street in the northbound lanes of the Alaskan Way Viaduct lost control and tipped on its side, coming to rest on the guardrail. No one was injured in the collision.

The impact of the collision caused the trailer to split open along its side, spilling boxes of frozen crab on the viaduct deck and immediately below.

Once first responders addressed immediate safety concerns, SDOT, WSDOT and SPD established unified command and coordinated efforts to expedite clearing the roadway, ordering commercial tow trucks, a front loader and five dump trucks to the scene.

Engineers have inspected the damage to the Alaskan Way Viaduct and verified that no structural damage occurred.

The goal is to reopen the Alaskan Way Viaduct once the roadway is clear of debris and the disabled tractor-trailer has been towed.

SDOT Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers are on site and will continue to investigate the circumstances of the collision.