We plan to start construction on this multiyear project in 2024.
In this online open house you can learn:
- About the improvements we're making as part of Phase 2.
- What you can expect during construction.
- What detours and impacts you may experience.
- How to drive through the diverging diamond interchange.
- How you can stay connected.
Stations
Traveling East on Ehlen Road NE
If you're traveling east on Ehlen Road NE and you want to:
- Go north on I-5: follow signs to the traffic light, go under the new I-5 bridge and keep left to enter the highway.
- Go south on I-5: turn right to use the on-ramp.
- Continue east on Ehlen Road NE: head towards the traffic light, go under the bridge to another traffic light and continue forward on Ehlen Road NE.
Traveling West on Ehlen Road NE
If you're traveling west on Ehlen Road NE and you want to:
- Go north on I-5: turn right to use the on-ramp.
- Go south on I-5: follow signs to the traffic light, go under the new I-5 bridge and keep left to enter the highway.
- Continue west on Ehlen Road NE: go under the bridge, pass through the traffic light and follow signs to continue on Ehlen Road NE.
Taking the Northbound I-5 Off-ramp, Exit 278
If you're taking the northbound I-5 off-ramp, Exit 278, and you want to:
- Go south on I-5: take the northbound off-ramp, keep to the left and go under the new I-5 bridge, then keep left again to take the southbound I-5 on-ramp.
- Go east Ehlen Road NE: keep right on the off-ramp.
- Go west on Ehlen Road NE: travel under the bridge to a traffic light, then continue west onto Ehlen Road NE.
Taking the Southbound I-5 Off-ramp, Exit 278
If you're taking the southbound I-5 off-ramp, Exit 278, and you want to:
- Go north on I-5: take the southbound off-ramp, keep to the left, go under the new I-5 bridge, then keep to the left again and take the northbound I-5 on-ramp.
- Go east Ehlen Road NE: stay left on the off-ramp, travel under the bridge to a traffic light and continue east on Ehlen Road NE.
- Go west on Ehlen Road NE: take Exit 278, keep right on the off-ramp and continue west onto Ehlen Road NE.
Ehlen Road NE Closure
When Ehlen Road NE is closed:
Cars can detour around the closure by using:
Bents Road NE → Arndt Road NE → OR 551.
Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by using Exit 271 in Woodburn or Exit 282 near Wilsonville.
We estimate needing to fully close Ehlen Road NE about eight times during construction. The closures are expected to happen over the weekend.
Northbound I-5 Exit 278 Closure
When the northbound I-5 Exit 278 is closed:
Cars can detour around the closure by using:
Exit 271 → OR 214 → OR 99E → OR 551 → Ehlen Road NE.
Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by continuing north on I-5, taking Exit 282 to turn around to get on southbound I-5, to use southbound Exit 278 and get to Ehlen Road NE.
We estimate needing to close this off-ramp once during construction. The closure is expected to be for about seven days.
Northbound I-5 On-Ramp Closure
When the northbound I-5 on-ramp at the Aurora-Donald interchange is closed:
Cars can detour around the closure by using:
Ehlen Road NE → OR 551 → I-5 on-ramp heading towards Wilsonville.
Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by using the southbound on-ramp at the Aurora-Donald interchange, taking Exit 271 in Woodburn to get on northbound I-5.
We estimate needing to close the on-ramp twice during construction. The first time the closure is expected to be for about seven days. The second time the closure is expected to be for about 14 days.
Southbound I-5 Exit 278 Closure
When the southbound I-5 Exit 278 is closed:
Cars can detour around the closure by using:
Exit 282A → OR 551 → Ehlen Road NE.
Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by taking Exit 271 to turn around to get on northbound I-5, to use the northbound Exit 278 and get to Ehlen Road NE.
We estimate needing to close the on-ramp twice during construction. The first time the closure is expected to be for about seven days. The second time the closure is expected to be for about 14 days.
Southbound I-5 On-Ramp Closure
When the southbound I-5 on-ramp at the Aurora-Donald interchange is closed:
Cars can detour around the closure by using:
Ehlen Road NE → OR 551 → OR 99E → OR 214 → I-5 on-ramp in Woodburn.
Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by continuing north on I-5 and taking Exit 282 to turn around and get on southbound I-5.
We estimate needing to close the on-ramp twice during construction. Both closures are expected to be for about seven days.
I-5 Detours Using On and Off-Ramps
Before we can shift traffic onto the new sections of the bridge, we'll need to close I-5 to connect the new section of the bridge to the lanes of traffic.
Northbound I-5 Closure
When we're connecting northbound lanes to the new section of the bridge, traffic can take Exit 278 and then use the I-5 on-ramp to return to I-5.
Flaggers will help direct traffic at the Ehlen Road NE intersection.
Southbound I-5 Closure
When we're connecting southbound lanes to the new section of the bridge, traffic can take Exit 278 and then use the I-5 on-ramp to return to I-5.
Flaggers will help direct traffic at the Ehlen Road NE intersection.
Check out a before and after drawing of the area by clicking and dragging the arrows on the image below.
Click the "+" or the title below to view the information in each section.
During Phase 1A, we realigned Bents Road NE.
During Phase 2, the diverging diamond lanes connect at a new intersection on Bents Road NE. This new intersection will have a traffic light.
The existing Ehlen Road NE will have significant changes. The road will shift and connect to the new Bents Road NE intersection.
Ehlen Road NE under the I-5 bridge will become the new diverging diamond lanes. The diverging diamond will have two lanes of traffic in both directions and new accesses to the I-5 on and off-ramps.
We'll replace the two I-5 bridges with one new bridge. The new I-5 bridge will be taller than the existing bridges. The bridge will have three lanes in each direction with a concrete median between the northbound and southbound lanes.
We're moving the entrance to Dolores Way NE to make room for the diverging diamond lanes. The existing connection to Ehlen Road NE may become a cul-de-sac. The intersection will move east, and we'll construct a new connection to the existing Dolores Way NE. The new Dolores Way NE and Ehlen Road NE intersection will also connect to a gravel road for access to properties to the north.
We're lengthening and widening the southbound off-ramp, the southbound on-ramp and the northbound on-ramp.
Please note, this is a rendering. The final layout may look different and the size and location may change.
Check out a larger version of the interchange after Phase 2 construction.
Click on each tab below to learn more about what you can expect during construction.
Schedule
We plan to start construction in 2024 and anticipate it taking four years to build the diverging diamond interchange. Our schedule may change due to weather, material supplies or other delays.
Click the "+" or the title below to view the information in each section.
We'll widen the shoulders of I-5 and pave in between the north and southbound lanes. This will allow us to shift traffic during different steps in construction to keep three lanes of traffic on I-5 in each direction during the day.
We'll also remove sections of the existing bridges in the center of the median to make room to build the first section of the bridge. This will require a weekend full closure of Ehlen Road NE.
We're building the new I-5 bridge in three sections: northbound lanes, southbound lanes and center. We'll start by building the center section of the bridge.
After the center is built, we'll shift northbound traffic onto the new bridge. Once traffic is shifted, we'll remove the existing northbound I-5 bridge. This will require a weekend full closure of Ehlen Road NE.
Next, we'll construct the northbound section of the new bridge.
After that section is built, we'll shift both north and southbound traffic onto the new bridge. Once traffic is shifted, we'll remove the existing southbound I-5 bridge. This will require a weekend full closure of Ehlen Road NE.
Next, we'll construct the southbound section of the new bridge. After that section is built, we'll shift traffic back to the permanent north and southbound lanes on the new bridge.
After the new I-5 bridge is fully constructed, most construction activity will move to Ehlen Road NE as we build the diverging diamond lanes.
I-5 Impacts
Widen I-5, paving between north and southbound lanes.
Build the center section of the new
I-5 bridge.
Build the northbound section of the new
I-5 bridge.
Build the southbound section of the new
I-5 bridge.
Traffic Shifts
To limit impacts to those traveling on I-5 and make it safer for our workers, we're using traffic shifts to create a separated work zone. Traffic shifts move traffic to a different lane, to create more space for our crews to work safely.
To shift traffic onto the new sections of the bridge, we'll close I-5 up to six times at night for about four hours. During these I-5 closures, traffic will use the Exit 278 off and on-ramps. 
Learn more about the work we're doing by clicking on the number icons on the rendering of the finished Aurora-Donald interchange below.
Please note, this is a rendering. The final layout may look different and the size and location may change.
Ehlen Road NE Impacts
We will widen Ehlen Road NE from two lanes into multiple lanes for the diverging diamond layout.
During construction, you can expect:
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Lane closures.
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Full road closures with detours.
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Flagging for the I-5 closures with traffic rerouted.
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No pedestrian access when the road is fully closed.
Please note, these are renderings. The final layout may look different and the size and location may change.
Close-up view of the diverging diamond lanes under the new I-5 Bridge.
Rendering of the finished Aurora-Donald interchange.
Rendering of the finished I-5 bridge with the diverging diamond lanes below.
Rendering of the finished diverging diamond lanes below the I-5 bridge.
Rendering of the finished diverging diamond lanes below the I-5 bridge.
Rendering of the finished Aurora-Donald Interchange.
Click the circles above to view each image.
Ramp Closures and Detours
Check and uncheck the boxes to see the detour route cars can take during closures:
Other Impacts During Construction
You can expect:
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Noise.
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Lane and shoulder closures as needed.
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Dust.
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Detours.
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Delays.
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Pedestrian and bicyclist detours as needed.
Be Careful in the Work Zone
Before starting your journey, go to TripCheck for the most current traffic, work zone and weather updates.
Please pay attention in the work zone, slow down and move over – imagine this is where you work.
Always drive safely and watch for construction signs and workers. Remember fines double in Oregon work zones, whether workers and signs are present or not.
Traveling East on Ehlen Road NE
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Check out stills from the video of how you get to where you need to go if you're traveling east on Ehlen Road NE using the new diverging diamond interchange.
Traveling West on Ehlen Road NE
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Check out stills from the video of how you get to where you need to go if you're traveling west on Ehlen Road NE using the new diverging diamond interchange.
Taking the Northbound I-5 Off-ramp, Exit 278
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Check out stills from the video of how you get to where you need to go if you took the northbound I-5 off-ramp using the new diverging diamond interchange.
Taking the Southbound I-5 Off-ramp, Exit 278
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Check out stills from the video of how you get to where you need to go if you took the southbound I-5 off-ramp using the new diverging diamond interchange.
Stay Connected
You can always learn more about the project, find out about upcoming events and stay connected by visiting the project webpage.
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