Nine-day closure of the Interstate Bridge northbound span: Sept. 19-27, 2020
Sept. 24, 2020
A view from an ODOT drone of the towers, including a new sheave, with I-5 below.
We’re more than halfway there, travelers! Wednesday marked the halfway point of the nine-day closure of the northbound span of the I-5 Interstate Bridge.
Efforts to replace old bridge components — some of them 103-years-old — are making good progress with new sheaves and trunnions in place on top of the bridge tower and cable installation underway.
When the northbound span closure ends, don’t forget that traffic impacts continue on the southbound span.
Remember that immediately after the northbound span re-opens, the left lane on the southbound span will close around the clock for a week as crews upgrade the median barrier and wrap up the project.
Don’t let your patience fade — pack it with you and continue to plan an alternate travel strategy and expect delays in the days to come.
How’s it going?
The closure of the I-5 Interstate Bridge northbound span is scheduled for completion by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. Immediately following the closure, the left lane on the southbound span will close around the clock for a week.
Ponding water has forced closure of the northbound I-5 off-ramp to Vancouver City Center. It will remain closed until conditions improve.
The new sheaves and trunnions have been set in place. Crews continued to install the 32 new cables Wednesday and in the coming days will carry out test lifts of the lift span. These lifts will not impact traffic.
Reminders for travelers
Bike and pedestrian travelers crossing the Interstate Bridge in both directions are sharing the sidewalk on the southbound span. Cyclists, please walk your bike across the bridge to increase safety for all users on the narrow sidewalk.
Plan your travel strategy and check conditions before heading out to help reduce congestion. Expect delays! You can view real-time traffic conditions and road cameras on TripCheck.com in Oregon and wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts in Washington. Expect delays and plan for them.
The closure details
During the Sept. 19-27 nine-day northbound span closure, northbound and southbound traffic will share the three lanes and sidewalk on the southbound span. Movable concrete barriers allow two lanes of traffic in the busiest direction, with two southbound lanes open for the morning commute and two northbound lanes open for the afternoon commute.
The sidewalk on the southbound span remains open at all times for people walking or riding bicycles. View detour information.
During the bridge closure, four ramps in the project area will close for traffic control and to ensure a safe work zone. Signs will direct travelers to detour routes. Learn more on the project website.
Lane closure on I-5 south
Immediately following the closure, the left lane on the southbound span will close around the clock for a week as crews upgrade the median barrier and wrap up the project.
Other impacts
After the closure, travelers should expect occasional night lane closures on I-5 with lifts of the northbound span of up to 30 minutes. Also expect nighttime ramp closures between Victory Boulevard in Portland and SR 14 in Vancouver.
The Interstate Bridge is jointly owned by Oregon and Washington and is maintained and operated by ODOT. The two states are sharing the $13 million cost of this project. The northbound span opened in 1917 and the southbound span in 1958.
About the project
The northbound span of the Interstate Bridge will close from Sept. 19-27, 2020 as crews replace mechanical parts that help lift and lower the bridge. The Interstate Bridge is located on I-5 where it connects Oregon and Washington across the Columbia River.
For ADA Title II or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services or for additional information call 503-731-4128, TTY (800) 735-2900 or use the statewide Oregon Relay Service: 7-1-1.
¿Habla usted español? Podemos proveer la información en esta publicación en español. Para recibir la información en español, por favor llamé al (503) 731-4128.
