Expansion joint on I-405 flattens tires during rush hour

BELLEVUE – A broken expansion joint on Interstate 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 said 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 said the trouble came from a 2-inch expansion joint that failed and popped up. He said the cause was metal fatigue, like when a paperclip is bend too many times.