Expansion joint on I-405 flattens tires during rush hour

Published 11:24 am Friday, May 6, 2016

BELLEVUE — A broken expansion joint on I-405 near Factoria slowed traffic and caused a number of flat tires during rush hour.

KOMO-TV reported that Washington State Department of Transportation officials say drivers who experienced flat tires because of the joint on Thursday morning can file claims with the state.

Crews made a temporary repair to the broken joint Thursday morning after the burst tires were reported and officials say they will make a permanent repair in the next week or so.

WSDOT spokesman Travis Phelps says the trouble came from a 2-inch expansion joint that failed and popped up. He says the cause was metal fatigue, like when a paperclip is bend too many times.