I-5 SB north of Olympia closed

It's an Amtrak- multiple casualties!:(

First day of Pt. Defiance bypass. (If you not from around here, that won't mean anything) Will update as I can.

Fatalities on the train. None in vehicles.

Saw a brief news report, train derailed on the overpass over I-5 and fell onto the highway. Amtrak is refusing to comment.

agesilaus wrote:
Saw a brief news report, train derailed on the overpass over I-5 and fell onto the highway. Amtrak is refusing to comment.

Direct from Amtrak:

Service Disruption South of Seattle

Amtrak Cascades services impacted
9:30 a.m. PT

Amtrak Cascades Train 501, operating from Seattle and Portland, derailed south of Tacoma, Wash. There were approximately 78 passengers and five crew members on board. Initial reports are that some injuries are reported to passengers and crew, and taken to local medical facilities for treatment.

Individuals with questions about their friends and family on this train should call (800) 523-9101. Local emergency responders are on the scene.

Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate. Amtrak Cascades Trains 504 and 509 are cancelled. No alternate transportation will be available.

Additional updates will be provided when available.

This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.

Well some in this case means 76 transported to hospitals, 50 kept in hospitals with at least 6 in critical condition, and at least 6 dead. So I think 'some' does not really catch the actual situation. That is 76 out of 83 note.

There are also reports that this was track sabotage, with something put on the track to cause the derailment. And supposedly Antifa threatened to sabotage the track over fracking?! This was a brand new train and a brand new track, this was the second run of the train and use of the track.

4 P.M. Local time - Raining and getting dark. Heavy equipment is on site, but none of the rail cars on the freeway have been moved yet.

If you need to go southbound between Tacoma and Olympia, don't be surprised if the freeway is closed for 24 to 48 hours.

There are no easy or good bypasses around this area. Traffic will be backed up for hours and hours. If you don't need to go, stay where you are.

The current detour information is as follows: From I-5 South in Tacoma, drivers can take SR 16 West to SR 3 South towards Shelton to US 101 South towards Olympia to I-5. Another alternate route to use is eastbound SR 512 to southbound SR 7.

Looking at the photos it will be a miracle if they have the mess cleaned up in 2 days. Especially with fatalities, the police will want to preserve the site until they have completed their investigation. I'm guessing roadway damage too after two train cars dropped onto the highway.

I would venture to guess that this will not open soon. Was taking a look at some pics off the KOMO news site (ABC affiliate) and some decent sized chunks of concrete are broken and down on the road. If WSDOT has a clue, they will get a lane shift in place, move the southbound across the median and run them south in the northbound lanes. Not much room for lane width, but some is better than none. Lots of rain in forecast, but it could be done. Terribly sad, prayers for all.

3:30 P.M. Local time on Tuesday - Still closed. Two cranes are working on moving train cars out. Some of the train cars have already left the scene on flat beds. Lead locomotive is still sitting on the freeway.

My guess is that the freeway will still be closed Wednesday...

Computers can't slow a train but they are going to control 'Driverless' cars and TRUCKS!!!