Update: I-5 traffic resumes after incident forced closure in both directions

Interstate 5 traffic resumed in both directions around 2:45 p.m. Friday after an undisclosed law enforcement incident forced a closure of interstate traffic near Sunset Drive in Bellingham.

Bellingham Police Department officials said there is no threat to the public, but no other details were provided.

Northbound vehicles were being directed to the Iowa Street exit, while southbound vehicles were exiting to Sunset Drive as part of a detour.

Medical aid, fire assistance, the incident response team, and Washington State Patrol responded to the scene, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The incident was first reported by WSDOT at 12:56 p.m.

This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 2:14 PM.

Jack Belcher

The Bellingham Herald

360-715-2206

Jack Belcher covers transportation and recreation for The Bellingham Herald. He graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in digital journalism in 2020 and joined the staff in September 2022. Belcher resides in Bellingham.