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Project-Details







I-5 Over 26th Avenue Improvements

Construction Phase

Region 1: Portland metro and Hood River County (Portland, Multnomah)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​This project will improve the I-5 bridge over SW 26th Avenue in Southwest Portland with a new structure and upgrade SW 26th Avenue with better lighting, bike lanes, and sidewalks.

Impacts

Traffic Impact

Saturday, Dec. 2 – Saturday, Dec. 9

  • SW 26th Avenue under I-5 is closed through spring 2024.
  • Periodic lane and shoulder closures on I-5.​

Construction Impacts

Construction starts in April 2023 and continues through summer 2024. 

I-5 Traffic Impacts

  • Nighttime single lane closures on I-5 in both directions from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends.
  • Up to 10 nighttime directional closures of I-5 (five northbound and five southbound) from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • In summer 2024, a full closure of I-5 for 4 miles over one weekend (Friday night to Monday morning). During these closures, there will be regional detours using I-205, OR 217 and a signed local detour. As we get closer to the closure, we will share detailed information and detour maps.
  • Up to 30 nighttime double lane closures on I-5 in both directions from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. directly before and after the I-5 weekend closure for prep work, striping, and placement of shoulder barrier.

SW 26th Avenue Impacts
Beginning May 1, SW 26th Avenue will fully close to motor vehicles from under I-5 to under Barbur Boulevard for about a year. SW Barbur Court will remain open to traffic. Businesses on SW Barbur Court and homes on SW 26th Avenue will be accessible.

People walking, biking and rolling will have access under I-5 for most of the project. Travelers on bikes will need to walk through the project area. If we do need to completely close SW 26th Avenue under I-5 to people walking, biking and rolling, we will provide a shuttle to transport people to the other side of SW 26th Avenue.

SW 26th Avenue Closure Area Map
SW 26th Area Closure from I-5 to Barbur Boulevard.

SW 26th Avenue Detour Map
SW 26th Detour Map

Nighttime Noise
We are limiting nighttime work to 90 nights so that project noise is less disruptive to the surrounding neighborhood. During those nights neighbors may hear construction noise. We will use construction noise mitigation measures to reduce noise. Use the 24/7 nighttime noise hotline to discuss any noise concerns: 503-276-7892.

Meetings and Events

Online Open House
Visit our online open house to learn more about the project background and what to expect during construction.

Schedule

Spring 2023: Construction starts, SW 26th Avenue closed to vehicle traffic for about a year starting May 1.

Summer 2024: Full closure of I-5 in both directions for one weekend (Friday evening through Monday morning). Dates will be determined and announced in advance.

Details

About

​Project Overview and Background
ODOT is improving Interstate 5 over SW 26th Avenue in Portland to ensure its continued reliability for travelers. We will replace the current bridge with a new, improved structure and upgrade SW 26th Avenue with better lighting, bike lanes and sidewalks.

The I-5 bridge over Southwest 26th Avenue was built in 1959 and widened in the 1980s. It carries over 100,000 vehicles per day. Its deck is heavily worn and near the end of its useful life. The project will maintain this important freeway connection and create a smoother ride for travelers while bringing it up to current seismic standards.

Construction will happen in 2023 and 2024. Most traffic impacts will occur under I-5 on local streets, but there will be a weekend full closure of I-5 in summer 2024. We are working closely with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) for the portion of the project on SW 26th Avenue.

Project Area Map

​SW 26th Avenue Project Area Map

Bridge Replacement
This project builds a new structure underneath the existing I-5 bridge, then rebuilds the roadway above during one weekend full closure of I-5 in both directions in summer 2024.

Building a new structure with this approach lowers project costs, shortens construction time, eases traffic impacts, has fewer environmental impacts and improves safety for workers and travelers.

While crews build the new structure, SW 26th Avenue will close to motor vehicles between I-5 and Barbur Boulevard for about a year staring May 1, 2023. We are improving SW 26th Avenue with better lighting, bike lanes, and sidewalks. As the graphics below shows:

  • The sides of the structure will be filled in, similar to the look of a culvert or tunnel.
  • The structure will be well-lit for the safety of people traveling through it, with six to eight lights inside.
  • We will plant Boston Ivy (non-invasive) on the outside of the structure to help soften the look of the concrete, blend in with the nearby green space, and deter graffiti.
  • People who walk, bike or roll in the area will have wider spaces for travel, including improved sidewalks and bike lanes.
  • We will upgrade the intersection of SW 26th Avenue and SW Barbur Court with new curb ramps, bike striping and high-visibility crosswalks.
Illustration of SW 26th improvements inlcuding new structure and bike path 
A sketch of the improvements on SW 26th and the new structure, viewed from SW 26th Avenue looking southeast.
SW 26th Avenue Improvements Barbur Court
SW 26th Avenue and SW Barbur Court: upgrades include new curb ramps, bike striping and high-visibility crosswalks.

Collaboration with PBOT
ODOT is collaborating with the Portland Bureau of Transportation on the new features we’re building on SW 26th Avenue. This includes connecting to the new multiuse path PBOT is building as part of their OR 99W/SW Barbur Blvd Area Sidewalk Infill Project and adding new bike lanes on SW Barbur Court, improving continued pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and connectivity in the area.

Location

I-5 |

​I-5 | SW Portland

Cost and Funding

​​The estimated cost to construct this project is $13 million.

Additional Information

​For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY 800-735-2900 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1. 

Si desea obtener información sobre este proyecto traducida al español, sírvase llamar al 503-731-4128.

Если вы хотите, чтобы информация об этом проекте была переведена на русский язык, пожалуйста, звоните по телефону 503-731-4128.

如果您想瞭解這個項目翻譯成 繁體中文 的相關資訊，請致電（503）731-4128. 如果您想了解这个项目翻译成 简体中文 的相关信息，请致电503-731-4128.
이 프로젝트에 관한 한국어로 된 자료 신청방법 전화: 503-731-4128.

Nếu quý vị muốn thông tin về dự án này được dịch sang tiếng Việt, xin gọi 503-731-4128.

Qorshayaasha, adeegyada turjumaada/fasiraada, ama wixii macluumaad dheeraad ah ee ADA Title II ama Xuquuqda Madaniga Title VI wac 503-731-4128, TTY (800) 735-2900 ama isticmaal Adeegyada Gudbinta Wararka: 7-1-1.

20486-Arabic-ADA.jpg

Contacts & Media

https://www-auth.oregon.gov/odot/Projects/Project%20Images/sw26_illustration.jpg

Project Contact

Community Affairs Coordinator
Ellen Waters
Email
Ellen.SWEENEY@odot.oregon.gov
Phone
971-336-1249

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Last Updated

12/1/2023 1:38 PM

Project Number

20486

Project Documents

Related documents to this project
I-5 over SW 26th Ave Project Newsletter fall 2022.pdfFall 2022 Newsletter
I-5 over SW 26th Construction Approach Decision one pager spring 2022 final.pdfA one page infographic on the construction approach decision.
I-5 over SW 26th Ave Project Mailer Spring 2023_SP.pdfSpring 2023 Project Mailer - Spanish
I-5 over SW 26th Ave Project Mailer Spring 2023_SM.pdfSpring 2023 Project Mailer - Somali
I-5 over SW 26th Ave Project Mailer Spring 2023_AR.pdfSpring 2023 Project Mailer - Arabic
I-5 over SW 26th Ave Project Mailer Spring 2023.pdfSpring 2023 Mailer