I-5 near Chehalis, not expected to open until Friday

People are seen on a section of the flooded Interstate-5 in Chehalis, Wash. on Tuesday Dec. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/The Oregonian, Bruce Ely

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Story Published: Dec 5, 2007 at 11:38 AM PDT

By Associated Press

CHEHALIS, Wash. (AP) - The earliest a flooded section of Interstate 5 could reopen here is Friday, state transportation officials said Wednesday.

The main artery between Portland and Seattle, I-5 was shut down in both directions Monday when the Chehalis River swelled and overran its banks. The river was forecast to recede below flood stage early Wednesday.

But that doesn't mean I-5 will instantly reopen. The Washington transportation department is assessing damage to washed out roadbeds and jersey barriers and making repairs.

The state set up blockades and detours but not everyone is following them.

Some truckers who've been blocked by the I-5 flood closure at Chehalis are trying to cut through on a local road between Chehalis and Centralia but that is causing problems. Trucks have jackknifed on one road -- the Centralia Alpha Road, and deputies are turning back truck traffic.

The Lewis County Sheriff's Office is advising people not to to bypass the designated detour because local roads can't handle the heavy traffic.

The only authorized detour for I-5 truck traffic forces them through Eastern Washington. Washington transportation officials were advising northbound motorists to head east on I-84, north on I-82 to Tri-Cities and Ellensburg and then west on I-90 to Seattle.

You could also take U.S. 97 up through central Washington rather than head all the way to Tri-Cities. Both routes take you through Yakima.

You can't take a train to Seattle either. Amtrak said northbound trains between Portland and Vancouver B.C. won't be operating again on Wednesday due to extreme weather conditions. Click here for the latest Amtrak updates.

This isn't the first time floodwaters have blocked I-5 at Centralia-Chehalis. It also happened in 1990 and 1996.

The Seattle Times reports that $30 million from the nickel gas tax approved by voters in 2003 was supposed to help corral the Chehalis River.

But the levee money went elsewhere because of disputes among Centralia, Chehalis, Lewis County and the Corps of Engineers over funding and maintenance.

Former state legislator Neil Amondson said, "There's a lot of hand-wringing, but no one comes to a decision."

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