skagitbridgegooglemaps
Shortly after the bridge collapse, Google Maps was updated with the I-5 span removed.

If you’re traveling on Interstate 5 this Memorial Day Weekend and need directions, Google Maps is going to be your best bet.

Why? Well, Google has already updated its map to show Thursday night’s collapse of the 58-year-old bridge spanning the Skagit River.

Skagit River bridge. Photo via KING 5
Skagit River bridge. Photo via KING 5

See for yourself at Google Maps. You’ll notice that there’s a big gap missing where the I-5 bridge once stood before crashing into the Skagit River around 7 p.m. Thursday night.

The quick update is likely the result of public contribution to Google Map Maker, a service that allows people to submit changes to Google Maps that often show up after review. (Learn more about Google Map Maker here).

bing-map55
Bing’s map still shows I-5 crossing the river.

For what it’s worth, Microsoft’s Bing Maps still shows the bridge standing.

Our news partner KING 5 reported that an oversized vehicle hit the bridge, and caused the collapse. In what’s being called a miracle, no fatalities were reported. Three people were rescued from the water.

Structural engineers will no doubt be spending lots of time analyzing the incident, and Washington state certainly has a history of famous bridge collapses.

You can follow the latest on Twitter with #skagitbridge and #I5BridgeCollapse.

Mount Vernon is located about 60 miles north of Seattle. I-5 is the main north-to-south artery in the state, connecting Vancouver, B.C. to Seattle.

UPDATE, 3:30 P.M.

WSDOT posted these photos of the bridge:

bridge21 bridge12

Follow-upINRIX reacts quickly to I-5 bridge collapse, says traffic delays minimal right now

Hat tip to @MatthewKeysLive

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