Traffic Impact
Construction Progress on I-5
See our progress on I-5.
Thank you for your patience while I-5 closed for 4 miles from 9 p.m. Friday, June 28 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 1.
During this one weekend closure crews demolished and rebuilt the bridge deck on top of the new structure. Several on-ramps also closed to prevent drivers from getting on I-5 in the area during the closure. I-5 and the on-ramps opened ahead of schedule early Monday, July 1.
Crews will complete the last remaining items, such as installing the final layer of asphalt and final striping with nighttime lane closures. They may also need nighttime directional closures of I-5 to safely finish this work.
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Above: Crews closed I-5 and began demolishing the bridge deck over SW 26th Avenue on Friday night.
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Above: Crews nearing the end of demolition process on Saturday.
Above: Crews preparing the roadway to add new asphalt paving on Saturday.
Above: Progress of adding new asphalt paving Sunday afternoon.
Construction Impacts
Join our online open house to learn more!
Impacts include weekend closure of I-5 and single and double lane closures on I-5. The construction method selected allows I-5 to remain open for all but this one weekend. It also saves an estimated $5.5 million in costs and six months of construction time, as well as reduces the impact on traffic, reduces nighttime noise, reduces the environmental impact and improves safety for workers and drivers. There’s a fact sheet on our website that explains more about why we chose this construction method.Details shared below.
Construction began in April 2023 and continues through fall 2024.
Nighttime I-5 Traffic Impacts
To prepare for and complete the bridge replacement work safely and with minimal impacts, additional nightwork is required on I-5. This may include:
- Nighttime single lane closures on I-5 in both directions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends.
- Up to 30 nights of double lane closures in both directions from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for finish work, striping, and placement of shoulder barrier.
- Up to 10 nighttime directional closures of I-5 (five northbound and five southbound) from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Nighttime Noise Impacts
We anticipate high noise levels during the weekend closure as crews use five excavators to demolish and rebuild the bridge deck. 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. Use the 24/7 nighttime noise hotline to discuss any noise concerns: 503-276-7892.
Construction Method Reduces Impacts
Replacing a bridge is expensive, time-consuming and can be disruptive to traffic and the surrounding communities. To minimize impacts, we evaluated options and chose the one with lower costs, shorter construction time, fewer traffic impacts, less nighttime noise, fewer environmental impacts and improved safety for workers and drivers.
Work began on the I-5 bridge over a year ago. We’re using a construction method that builds the new bridge underneath the existing bridge. This summer, we rebuilt the bridge deck and added new asphalt paving — all during just one weekend closure of I-5.
SW 26th Avenue Closure
Last spring, SW 26th Avenue closed to motor vehicles under I-5 and SW Barbur Boulevard. SW
26th Avenue reopened May 1. It will close again during the weekend I-5 is closed (June 28 to July 1). This allows for equipment access and to ensure safety while work is happening above SW 26th Avenue on I-5.
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SW 26th Avenue Closure Area Map
SW 26th Avenue Detour Map
SW 26th Avenue Improvements
As part of this project, we are improving SW 26th Avenue with better lighting, bike lanes, and sidewalks. Crews have built a new structure underneath I-5 and completed most of the improvements to SW 26th Avenue. A newly paved SW 26th Avenue has reopened May 1.
Crews finished building new, wider sidewalks, installing ADA-compliant curb ramps, paving and striping SW 26th Avenue with bike lanes and painting the new structure and installing light fixtures. The sides of the new structure are filled in, similar to the look of a culvert or tunnel (see illustration).
There are still a few items to finish on SW 26th Avenue, such as connecting the lights, final striping and planting vegetation. Boston Ivy (non-invasive) will be planted on the outside of the structure to help soften the look of concrete, blend in with the nearby green space, and deter graffiti.
See our progress on SW 26th Avenue
A sketch of the future improvements on SW 26th and the new structure, viewed from SW 26th Avenue looking southeast.
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An aerial view of the I-5 construction, February 2024.
An improved SW 26th Avenue, May 2024.
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.
SW 26th Avenue and SW Barbur Court: upgrades include new curb ramps, bike striping and high-visibility crosswalks.
Meetings and Events
Online Open House
Join our online open house! You can explore the online open house to learn more about the project background, construction progress, upcoming impacts, and how the construction method selected helped us lower costs, impact, and construction time and allowed I-5 to remain open for all but one weekend.
Schedule
Spring 2023: Construction starts, SW 26th Avenue closed to vehicle traffic for about a year starting May 1, 2023.
Summer 2024: Full closure of I-5 in both directions for one weekend from Friday, June 28 at 9 p.m. to Monday, July 1 at 5 a.m. Additional nighttime lane closures will also be required.