Semi fire on I-5 express lanes wreaks havoc on Friday morning commute

SEATTLE -- A semi truck caught fire this morning after a crash on the I-5 South express lanes at Mercer Street in Seattle.

Firefighters were able to get it under control quickly, but the express lanes were closed from about 5:30 am to 11 a.m. Friday.

The driver, a 32-year-old man, was taken to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition. He was cited for negligent driving - a $553 ticket.

Inspectors said the bridge above the lanes was not damaged, but the collision damaged the guardrail and melted some signs above.

Drive times from Everett to Seattle were up 70-plus minutes, averaging 123 minutes because of the crash.