ISSAQUAH, Wash. – A rolled-over, flatbed semi-truck that lost its load forced the Washington State Patrol to shut down eastbound Interstate 90 in Issaquah Tuesday afternoon.
The Sound Delivery Services truck flipped on its side and spilled large steel beams across the off-ramp at exit 18 - an overpass leading to the Issaquah Highlands and Sammamish - after failing to negotiate the curve on the overpass.
One of the large metal beams was hanging precariously over I-90 clinging to a sign post up high. A tow truck operator wrapped a cable around it and pulled it back to safety.
All lanes of eastbound I-90 have reopened.
Crews have reopened the right lane of exit 18 ramp, which takes drivers to E Sunset Way. The flyover ramp from eastbound I-90 to Highlands Drive NE remains closed. Crews must remove the spilled load and upright the semi before the ramp can be reopened.
Traffic backup was several miles long.
The incident occured just after 5 p.m. Tuesday. The 51-year-old driver was not injured and no other injuries have been reported.
Troopers believe speed was a large factor in addition to the wet roadway. The load of steel I-beams may have also been improperly secured. The State Patrol stresses how important it is to obey the posted speed limit and to slow down even more during inclement weather.
