I-5 in SW Portland will be a nightmare for motorists this weekend
By Terry Murry on Thursday, June 27th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PORTLAND – (News release from the Oregon Department of Transportation) Four miles of Interstate 5 in Southwest Portland will close in all directions this weekend, Friday, June 28 to Monday, July 1 while crews rebuild the overpass across Southwest 26th Avenue.
The closure will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, June 28 with all lanes open again by 5 a.m. Monday, July 1.
The I-5 closure comes as the U.S. Olympic Track & Field trials wind up Sunday in Eugene. Travelers going to or from the Olympic trials should plan for extra travel time or find alternate routes if their trip takes them through Southwest Portland.
Work on the project began over a year ago using a construction method that builds the new bridge underneath the existing bridge, which has allowed Interstate 5 to remain open for all but this one weekend.
This approach saves an estimated $5.5 million in costs and six months of construction time. It reduces the impact on traffic, reduces nighttime noise, reduces the environmental impact and improves safety for workers and drivers.
For more information about why we chose this construction method, see this fact sheet.
The I-5 bridge over 26th Avenue was built in 1959 and widened in the 1980s. It carries more than 100,000 vehicles per day and its deck is heavily worn and near the end of its useful life. This project will create a smoother ride for travelers while bringing it up to today’s seismic standards. As a detour around the closure, traffic can use major Portland area highways including Interstate 205, Interstate 84, OR 217 or U.S. 26.
Map via ODOT
