Setting up easels...

Printing nametags...

Making coffee...

Printing sign-in sheets...

Features on this site may be easier to use if you rotate your screen.

ODOT is continuing to make progress on this project to address congestion and safety on a seven-mile stretch of I-205 between Stafford Road and OR 99E.

At this online open house, you can learn about the latest project developments including updates on the project solutions, and what to expect as the process moves forward.

Select a station below, or click the buttons at the top of the page to view the stations in order.

Stations

Learn about the issues in the project limits.
Learn how ODOT will address issues and what design details are still under analysis.
ODOT will remove the current I-205 northbound on-ramp from OR 43 and Northbound traffic will instead use a roundabout to access northbound I-205.
As part of the project, ODOT will upgrade and widen the Abernethy Bridge.
Widening I-205 requires rock blasting to remove the slope on the northbound side between the Sunset Avenue overcrossing and the OR 43 interchange.
If noise increases too much because of the project, ODOT will evaluate possible solutions such as noise walls.
Find out what will happen next, provide your comments and tell us about yourself.

Project Overview

This corridor is vital to our region. More than 100,000 vehicles use this section of I-205 each day and drivers experience 5 1/2 hours of congestion daily. This project will address congestion, traveler safety, and seismic resiliency on I-205.

The Abernethy Bridge, which crosses the Willamette River between West Linn and Oregon City, and the eight other I-205 bridge sites along this stretch of highway are vulnerable to severe damage or collapse in the event of a major earthquake. ODOT has designated I-205 as a statewide north-south lifeline route, which means it must be operational quickly if an earthquake renders other roadways unusable or impassable. It will be a critical route in getting supplies and services to the region.

This project will upgrade these bridges so they can withstand a major earthquake.

Virtual flyover of the project area. (No audio)

The Issues

  • The two-lane section of I-205 between the Abernethy Bridge and the Stafford Road interchange creates a bottleneck that causes congestion and crashes, creating delays for travelers and freight.
  • Closely spaced on-ramps on I-205 northbound on the Abernethy Bridge contribute to safety and travel-time predictability issues.
  • The Abernethy Bridge and eight bridge sites in the project area are seismically vulnerable in the event of a major earthquake.

Project Benefits

  • The addition of a third lane in each direction from Stafford Road to OR 213 helps prevent bottlenecks that cause congestion and crashes, which create delays for travelers and freight.
  • Extending the I-205 northbound onramp across the Abernethy Bridge increases safety and travel-time predictability.
  • Seismically upgrading the Abernethy Bridge and replacing or retrofitting eight bridge sites in the project area ensures bridges can withstand a major earthquake.

Seismic Lifeline Route

  • As a designated Lifeline Route, I-205 is critical to the region for emergency response and economic recovery after a major earthquake.
  • This is ODOT’s first project on I-205 to make this route resilient against earthquakes.
  • The Abernethy Bridge and eight other bridge sites will be strengthened or replaced to provide seismic resiliency to the corridor.

You can learn more about these solutions on following pages.


25% Complete

Proposed Solutions

Proposed solutions include widening I-205, seismic upgrades, replacing eight bridge structures, improving the OR 43 interchange and installing traveler information signs.

I-205 Widening

  • The project adds a third lane in each direction on the seven-mile stretch of I-205 between Stafford Road and OR 99E. 
  • Widening I-205 requires blasting in order to remove the rock from the rock slope located in West Linn on the northbound side of I-205 between the Sunset Avenue overcrossing and just south of the OR 43 interchange. We will conduct additional analyses next year to determine impacts of the blasting, potential mitigations and duration of the work.

Bridge Replacements

  • Widening I-205 requires rebuilding West A Street and Sunset Avenue, which cross over I-205. The Tualatin River, Borland Road, and Woodbine Road bridges will also be replaced.

Seismic Upgrades

  • The project upgrades the Abernethy Bridge and the eight other I-205 bridges in the project area to withstand a major earthquake.  I-205 is designated as a statewide north-south lifeline route, which means it must be operational quickly after a disaster renders other roadways unusable or impassable. This critical route will provide supplies and services to the region.

Interchange Improvements

In order to improve safety and travel-time predictability on I-205, the project makes changes to on- and off-ramps and intersections around interchanges.  

  • OR 43 interchange: the project removes the current I-205 northbound on-ramp from OR 43 northbound. Northbound traffic will instead use a new left turn to access the existing on-ramp loop to I-205 northbound. Consolidating these two separate northbound access points eliminates the merging and weaving that currently occurs and reduces rear end crashes. The Broadway Street bridge overcrossing will also be removed. See inset below.
  • Analysis is still underway for other intersection improvements at OR 43 and OR 99E. We will present these findings later in the design process.

Traveler Information Signs Traveler Information Signs (ODOT RealTime)

The project includes ODOT RealTime traffic information signs to help travelers get to where they’re going more safely and efficiently. These signs can display traffic flow information, roadway conditions, and advisory speeds limits.

RealTime information signs


Use the mouse wheel to pan and zoom, or pinch and swipe on touch-enabled devices.

Project Map

The project focuses on relieving congestion, traveler safety, and seismic resiliency on I-205 between Stafford Road and OR 99E.
Close
  • Project Map

    Project Map

    The project focuses on relieving congestion, traveler safety, and seismic resiliency on I-205 between Stafford Road and OR 99E.

38% Complete

OR 43 Interchange

ODOT will remove the current I-205 northbound on-ramp from OR 43 and northbound traffic will instead use a roundabout to access northbound I-205.

Why a Roundabout?

A roundabout improves safety and operations compared to a signalized intersection. The table below shows traffic control options considered at the northbound I-205 ramp terminal:

EVALUATION CRITERIA ROUNDABOUT SIGNAL
Interstate Access* from OR 43 Southbound
Interstate Access from OR 43 Northbound
Operations on OR 43
Safety
Access to/from Willamette Falls Drive
Compatibility with future improvements
Life-cycle cost savings

Ratings: = Positive = Neutral = Negative

*Proposed improvements include removal of the existing ramp meter and extension of the auxiliary lane to OR99E exit-ramp.

Source: A Safer Choice (FHWA-SA-08-006, a Roundabout Informational Guide)
https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/innovative/roundabouts/fhwasa08006/fhwasa08006.pdf

Morning (AM) Peak Traffic Simulation

Afternoon (PM) Peak Traffic Simulation


Use the mouse wheel to pan and zoom, or pinch and swipe on touch-enabled devices.

New OR 43 Interchange

ODOT will remove the current I-205 northbound on-ramp from OR 43 and Northbound traffic will instead use a roundabout to access northbound I-205.
Close
  • New OR 43 Interchange

    New OR 43 Interchange

    ODOT will remove the current I-205 northbound on-ramp from OR 43 and Northbound traffic will instead use a roundabout to access northbound I-205.

50% Complete

Abernethy Bridge

As part of the project, ODOT will upgrade and widen both the Abernethy Bridge supports and the upper structure (shown below in green).

ODOT will strengthen the existing bridge and add new columns, rather than replacing the bridge altogether.

Once completed, it will be ODOT’s first seismically resilient interstate structure across the Willamette River.

Process

1. Construct new bridge foundations and widen to the outside of the existing bridge. Existing lanes will remain open to traffic during this time.

2. Roll existing bridges (in green) approximately 8 feet outward from their existing location during two separate weekend closures.

3. Complete remaining bridge widening toward the center to join the bridges together and remove existing supports. Existing lanes will remain open to traffic.


Use the mouse wheel to pan and zoom, or pinch and swipe on touch-enabled devices.

Updated Bridge

ODOT will upgrade and widen both the Abernethy Bridge supports and the upper structure (in green).
Close
  • Updated Bridge

    Updated Bridge

    ODOT will upgrade and widen both the Abernethy Bridge supports and the upper structure (in green).

63% Complete

Rock Cut

Widening I-205 requires rock blasting to remove the slope on the northbound side between the Sunset Avenue overcrossing and the OR 43 interchange.

Blasting Considerations

  • Blasting planned during mid-mornings
  • Advance notice prior to blast days
  • Variable Message Boards on I-5 and I-205 notifying rock blast dates and times
  • Overall duration is 7 to 8 months
  • Blasts occur approximately every 2 to 3 weeks
  • Sounds and vibrations resulting from blasts will not impact surrounding structures

Blasting Process

  1. Variable Message Boards on I-5 and I-205 indicating rolling slowdown
  2. Interchange ramps close to traffic
  3. Pilot cars slow traffic on highway and nearby local streets in advance of blast site
  4. Blast occurs
  5. Highway and blast site inspected for safety
  6. Traffic resumes (20-minute period of total rolling slowdown)


Use the mouse wheel to pan and zoom, or pinch and swipe on touch-enabled devices.

Rock Blasting Work Zone

Close
  • Rock Blasting Work Zone

    Rock Blasting Work Zone


75% Complete

Existing and Future Noise

Today, noise levels at properties near I-205 range from 57-72 decibels. After the project is built, noise levels close to the highway will range from 58-75 decibels, potentially increasing 1-5 decibels.

Reducing Noise

If noise levels at a property exceed 65 decibels, the design team will evaluate noise mitigations. Noise walls are the most common tool used to mitigate noise. If noise walls are found to provide adequate benefits based on ODOT and Federal Highway Administration standards, benefited property owners will be able to vote this fall on whether or not to have noise walls constructed. If more than 50 percent of benefited property owners vote in favor of a reasonable noise wall, the wall will be constructed.

What is a decibel?

A decibel is a unit used to measure sound levels. Decibels help us understand and define how loud or quiet something is.

Note: Humans do not usually notice a change in noise of three decibels or less.

Noise Levels (Decibels)

Noise level comparison chart.

88% Complete

Next Steps

Thank you for participating in this online open house and for your interest in the project. ODOT currently has project funding to complete preliminary design. Funding discussions regarding final design and construction are ongoing. Sign up for project updates to stay up to date as the project progresses.

We appreciate your participation in this online open house and your interest in the project.

Stay Informed

Give us Feedback

Thanks for your interest in the project!  Share your project comments or questions below.

Use the mouse wheel to pan and zoom, or pinch and swipe on touch-enabled devices.

Project Map and Schedule

Close
  • Project Map and Schedule

    Project Map and Schedule


100% Complete