Crash Blocks I-5 Near Meridian Street in Bellingham Tuesday
The crash occurred just before 5 p.m. April 14 at milepost 256, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. Crews first closed the left lane, then shut both left lanes as they worked the scene. Responders later reopened one lane before fully clearing the crash.
A crash on southbound I-5 near Meridian Street in Bellingham closed both left lanes just before 5 p.m. Tuesday, backing up traffic between Bellingham and Ferndale for over an hour. (PNW DAILY)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A crash on southbound Interstate 5 backed up traffic for more than an hour Tuesday afternoon near the Meridian Street interchange. The incident hit during the evening commute and drew a multi-crew response that temporarily shut both left lanes.
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The crash occurred just before 5 p.m. April 14 at milepost 256, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. Crews first closed the left lane, then shut both left lanes as they worked the scene. Responders later reopened one lane before fully clearing the crash.
Traffic Backups Last More Than an Hour
The lane closures slowed traffic during the evening commute between Bellingham and Ferndale. Drivers merged into a single lane, causing backups that stretched for more than an hour before crews cleared the scene.
Crash Highlights Risks on Busy I-5 Corridor
Traffic safety experts point to several factors that make this stretch of I-5 hazardous. Ramp backups spill into travel lanes and cause sudden slowdowns. Closely spaced interchanges reduce reaction time. High-speed traffic mixes with slower merging vehicles. Additionally, heavy commercial and cross-border traffic adds to congestion throughout the day.
Drivers often report sudden backups near the Iowa Street, Portal Way, and Main Street ramps.
No Details Released on Injuries or Cause
Authorities have not released details about injuries or the number of vehicles involved. Investigators have also not identified the cause of the crash. PNW Daily will update this story as new information becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on I-5 near Meridian Street in Bellingham?
A crash on southbound I-5 near the Meridian Street interchange at milepost 256 closed both left lanes just before 5 p.m. on April 14, 2026. Traffic backed up between Bellingham and Ferndale for more than an hour during the evening commute.
Is I-5 near Meridian Street open?
Yes. All lanes on southbound I-5 near Meridian Street in Bellingham have reopened following the April 14 crash.
Were there injuries in the I-5 Meridian Street crash?
Authorities have not released information about injuries or the cause of the crash as of the latest update. PNW Daily will report additional details as they become available.
PNW Daily brings you this traffic report is part of the ongoing crash report series sponsored by CrashLaw.NET. If you’ve been seriously injured, give Ziad Youssef and the team a call today at (360) 255-5046.
