Traffic Impact
- SW 26th Avenue remains closed to vehicles under I-5 through spring 2024.
- An accessible pedestrian pathway is available during construction. The location of the pathway shifts depending on the construction. Watch for signage.
- Periodic lane and shoulder closures occur on I-5.
Construction Impacts
Impacts include weekend and nighttime closures of I-5. Details shared below.
Construction began in April 2023 and continues through summer 2024.
I-5 Traffic Impacts:
- In summer 2024, I-5 will close for 4 miles in both directions over one weekend (Friday night to Monday morning). During the closure, there will be a regional detour using I-205 and OR 217 and a signed local detour. The closure date will be announced by May 2024. Scroll down to see the detour maps.
- Up to 10 nighttime directional closures of I-5 (five northbound and five southbound) from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- The following impacts are also planned to allow for completion of the work:
- 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.
- Within 90 days of the weekend closure, I-5 in and near the project area will have up to 30 nights of double lane closures in both directions from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for prep work, striping, and placement of shoulder barrier.
SW 26th Avenue Traffic Impacts:
- SW 26th Avenue will reopen to motor vehicles spring 2024. It will close again during the weekend I-5 is closed this summer.
- An accessible pedestrian pathway is available during the SW 26th Avenue closure. The location of the pathway shifts depending on the construction. Watch for signage.
I-5 Ramp Closures and Detours
For one weekend this summer, from Friday evening to Monday morning, I-5 will fully close for over 4 miles. This closure allows the crews to finish the work by removing the top of the existing bridge and adding new asphalt paving.
I-5 Weekend Closure Map
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Southbound I-5 will close between the SW Terwilliger Boulevard off-ramp and the SW Capitol Highway on-ramp.
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Northbound I-5 will close between the SW Barbur Boulevard off-ramp and the SW Terwilliger Boulevard on-ramp.
Several on-ramps will also close to prevent drivers from getting on I-5 in the area during the closure.
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Northbound on-ramp closures:
- Kruse Way.
- SW Spring Garden Street.
- SW Capitol Highway.
- OR99W/SW Barbur Boulevard.
- SW Haines Street.
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Southbound on-ramp closures:
- S Harbor Drive.
- Interstate 405 southbound exchange to southbound I-5.
During the closure,
regional detours will use Interstate 205 and OR 217.
A signed local detour will use SW Barbur Boulevard. This detour maintains local access while preventing drivers from other area highways from cutting through southwest Portland. Congestion is to be expected during the I-5 weekend closure.
Regional Detour will use Interstate 205 and OR 217
Local Detour will use SW Barbur Boulevard
ODOT is working with the contractors to determine the exact dates of the weekend closure. The closure may occur in June or July.
Closure dates will be shared by May.
SW 26th Avenue Closure
Last spring, SW 26th Avenue closed to motor vehicles under I-5 and SW Barbur Boulevard.
SW 26th Avenue is expected to reopen this spring but will close again during the weekend I-5 is closed. This allows for equipment access and to ensure safety while work is happening above SW 26th Avenue on I-5.
An accessible pedestrian pathway is available during construction. The location of the pathway shifts depending on the construction. People walking, biking and rolling 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.
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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. 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.
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.
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 nearly a year ago. We’re using a construction method that builds the new bridge underneath the existing bridge while I-5 remains open. This summer, we’ll finish the work by removing the top of the existing bridge and adding new asphalt paving — all during just one full weekend.
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
For project background, visit our 2023 online open house
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 in June or July 2024 (Friday evening through Monday morning). Dates will be determined and announced in advance.