| I-5 Willamette River Bridge (Eugene/Springfield) |
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| Overview |
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Rendering of proposed I-5 Willamette River Bridge
Weekly Construction Update
- I-5 north and southbound lane closures scheduled for Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 nights to install loops in highway for automatic trip recorders. Only one northbound or southbound lane will be closed at a time. Work is weather dependent.
- Demolition of decommissioned bridge continues over the Willamette River channel.
- Preparation work begins on I-5 southbound on-ramp to decommissioned bridge in order to remove concrete pavement starting Nov. 30, 2009.
- Closure of Franklin Boulevard I-5 southbound on-ramp scheduled for Nov. 30, 2009 through Jan 22, 2010.
- The North Bank bike path in Eastern Alton Baker Park is closed from the east side of the I-5 overpass to the junction with the Knickerbocker Bridge.
- The Canoe Canal path located in the Whilamut Natural Area of Eastern Alton Baker Park is open.
- North Walnut Road located west of I-5 is closed to the public for the duration of the project so that crews can use it as an access road. Walnut Road in Eastgate Woodlands is closed at the junction with the North Bank path on the east side of I-5.
- Bicyclists and pedestrians may experience delays on paths on both sides of the river. Flaggers will direct path users and detours will ensure continued connections between Eugene and Springfield.
- Bicyclists are subject to the same rules as other motorists; this includes doubling of fines in construction zones for not obeying flaggers or riding on a closed road or path. Closures and delays are necessary for the protection and safety of people using the paths, as well as construction workers.
- The fenced area near the bridge in Alton Baker Park is a staging area for contractors.
- Roadside work crews and construction vehicles will enter and exit the travel lanes at the intersection of Franklin Boulevard and Jenkins Drive.
- Crews are clearing noxious weeds and brush out of the work site.
- Franklin Boulevard as it passes under I-5 between Eugene and Glenwood will be closed starting 8 p.m. Friday Nov. 20 and will re-open to traffic at 7 a.m. Monday Nov. 23. The closure is required in order to demolish the old I-5 Bridge as it passes over Franklin Boulevard. Watch for signs directing traffic to an alternate route via I-5 on- and off-ramps at Glenwood Boulevard.
Web cast and Twitter
Follow us on Twitter at OregonDOT. We will be tweeting from time to time about detour changes, construction impacts and share links to interesting photos, videos and other project information. We will also tweet about upcoming public events and other interesting news about the project.
View our NEW Web cast highlighting the bridge work in the beautiful setting of Alton Baker Park and the Willamette River.
Project Purpose, Need and Background
The purpose of the project is to improve safety and maintain connectivity and mobility for all users of Interstate 5 over the Willamette River in the Eugene/Springfield Metropolitan area.
The existing interstate bridge is weight restricted and has been decommissioned. The temporary structure is not built to withstand earthquakes and does not meet standards for permanent interstate bridges. The old bridge cannot be cost-effectively repaired or widened to accommodate projected traffic increases. For these reasons, a new permanent bridge is needed.
Built in 1962, the I-5 Willamette River Bridge is on the border between the cities of Eugene and Springfield and provides a critical link in the interstate system for moving freight and people in the I-5 corridor.
In 2002, shear cracks were identified in the bridge structure. Weight limits were posted that forced heavy haul trucks to detour 200 miles on an alternate route. ODOT began constructing a temporary bridge as an interim solution to keep the route open for freight and other vehicles until a new bridge could be built. When the temporary bridge opened in 2004, the old bridge was decommissioned and left in place.
Construction Information
Construction to replace the Interstate 5 bridge over the Willamette River began this summer. Contractors led by Hamilton Construction Company began working on the south bank of the river. During the first six months, they will construct a work bridge, demolish the decommissioned bridge and widen the southbound on-ramp from Franklin Boulevard.
Detour paths will be built in the Whilamut Natural Area to ensure bicyclists and pedestrians safe mobility around the construction areas. Kiosks are located throughout the park to inform path users of the detours. They will be continuously updated to show the detour currently in effect.
Throughout the project, drivers will see minimal impacts on I-5 and occasional closures to Franklin Boulevard on and off ramps.
Federal, state and local officials attend groundbreaking
Construction overview
- Key milestones of the construction schedule:
- Summer 2009: Construction begins on the south bank.
- Fall 2009: Begin building new southbound bridge.
- Spring 2011: Move traffic to new southbound bridge.
- Spring 2011: Begin building new northbound bridge.
- Winter 2012: Open new northbound bridge to traffic; project completion.
Path detours in Alton Baker Park
ODOT will restore occupied areas, repave utilized paths and make improvements to the park upon completion of the bridge replacement. Crews will replace every tree that is cleared for construction with at least two native trees. ODOT will then monitor new plantings for five years.
Tree replacements are one of the many facets to ODOT’s restoration and enhancement efforts. Crews have already begun removing noxious weeds and invasive plants from the area.
ODOT will also make watershed improvements to area and purchase land area in credits at the West Eugene Wetland Mitigation Bank. This guarantees that the same quantity of wetland that is permanently impacted by the project will be maintained within the bank
Making the area better than we found it
ODOT will restore occupied areas, repave utilized paths and make improvements to the park upon completion of the bridge replacement. Crews will replace every tree that is cleared for construction with at least two native trees. ODOT will then monitor new plantings for five years.
Tree replacements are one of the many facets to ODOT’s restoration and enhancement efforts. Crews have already begun removing noxious weeds and invasive plants from the area.
ODOT will also make watershed improvements to area and purchase land area in credits at the West Eugene Wetland Mitigation Bank. This guarantees that the same quantity of wetland that is permanently impacted by the project will be maintained within the bank.
Project Materials
Public involvement input from local residents, property owners, and organizations is an important part of this project. Contact Suzanne Roberts at (503) 471-6866 or suzanne.roberts@obd.org to sign up for the project mailing list or to find out about upcoming events.
Below you will find links to more information, including meeting summaries and activities, about the public involvement process for this project.
Community Advisory Group
Representatives of key community organizations that provide input on project goals, objectives, and key decisions.
Project Development Team
Agency representatives from ODOT, Eugene, Springfield, Lane County and the Community Advisory Group that make recommendations to ODOT based on CAG input and technical analysis.
Design Enhancement Panel
Local designers and artists, stakeholders and the CAG/PDT are working on aesthetic design details for the Willamette River Bridge.
Design Workshop Summary
A summary of a two-day workshop held in February 2009 to develop design concepts that guide aesthetic decisions about the project and its surroundings.
Design Workshop Video
A video showing highlights of the Design Workshops and subsequent media event.
Soundwall Information- Laurel Hill Valley Citizens Neighborhood Association
Information about proposed design options for the soundwall along I-5 in the Laurel Hill Valley Neighborhood.
Project Information Paper
A general overview about the Willamette River Bridge replacement.
Project Goals and Objectives
These guide the decisions made about the project.
Revised Environmental Assessment (REA)
A document detailing anticipated impacts and mitigation measures for the project.
Newsletters
A library of past project newsletters.
Open House Summaries
Open houses have been held throughout the process for the public to learn about the project and provide input.
Online Survey Results
The community provided input on the bridge type in a spring 2008 online survey.
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| Contacts |
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Rick Little, Public Information Representative (541) 726-2442; Richard.LITTLE@odot.state.or.us
Suzanne Roberts, Construction Information Manager, (503) 471-6866; Suzanne.roberts@obdp.org
Dick Upton, ODOT Project Manager, (503) 986-3477; richard.upton@odot.state.or.us
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