Stations
Construction Strategy
We will build a new support structure underneath the I-5 bridge, then remove the deck and pave over the structure during one weekend closure of I-5 in both directions. Read more about how we chose this strategy on the next page.
Project Timeline
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Construction starts in 2023 - SW 26th Avenue will be closed to motor vehicles for about a year.
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Spring or summer 2024 - full closure of I-5 in both directions for one weekend (Friday evening through Monday morning). Dates to be determined. Sign up for project news to learn more as we get closer.
Project Area
How We Will Replace the Bridge
Replacing a bridge is expensive, time consuming and can be disruptive to traffic and the surrounding communities. To minimize impacts, we evaluated two options for replacing the I-5 bridge over SW 26th Avenue:
- Build a replacement bridge, which means building a detour bridge and shifting traffic to it during construction, creating major impacts on I-5 for almost two years.
- Build a new support structure underneath I-5, then replace the bridge deck and pave over the new structure over one weekend closure of I-5.
We chose option 2 because it means lower costs, shorter construction time, fewer traffic impacts, less nighttime noise in the community, fewer environmental impacts and improved safety for workers and travelers.
Less construction time
This option takes about 18 months to build instead of two years, saving 6 months of construction time. This means less disruption to traffic and fewer detours in the region, keeping people and goods moving.
This option includes one weekend closure of I-5 and nighttime lane closures and possible nighttime one-direction closures instead of almost two years of a detour structure and frequent major I-5 impacts.
Cost savings
This option costs about $13 million to build instead of almost $19 million with the traditional replacement bridge and detour bridge. By choosing the option that includes one weekend I-5 closure we save up to $5.5 million.
Less noisy work
This option limits nighttime work to only 90 nights so project noise is less disruptive to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Fewer environmental impacts
This option includes less construction waste, no impact to a nearby water drainage area, and less construction fuel consumption because of the shorter construction time.
Work zone safety
The work zone and workers will be below the bridge for the majority of construction. This will keep the work zone and workers out of the way of high-speed traffic as much as possible.
Did you know? 4 out of 5 work zone crash victims are drivers and their passengers, not workers.
The New Structure
The new I-5 structure will look a little different from the bridge currently in place. The preliminary sketch 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.
- People who walk, bike or roll in the area will have wider spaces for travel, including improved sidewalks and bike lanes.
A sketch of the new structure, viewed from SW 26th Avenue looking southeast.
Interstate 5
In 2024, we will close Interstate 5 in both directions for one full weekend from Friday night to Monday morning. During these closures there will be a regional detour using I-205 and some signed local detours. Travelers can expect congestion and delays. Sign up for project news to be notified when we set the dates for the weekend closure.
Beginning in 2023 there will also be some nighttime lane closures and possible nighttime one-direction closures on I-5.
By building a new structure underneath I-5 and then replacing the top with paving, we save about six months of construction time and avoid having almost two years of a detour structure and frequent major I-5 impacts.
SW 26th Avenue
Beginning in 2023, and throughout construction, we will close SW 26th Avenue to motor vehicles directly under I-5 for about a year. Businesses on SW Barbur Court and homes on SW 26th Avenue will still be accessible.
If you bike, walk or roll, you will have access under I-5 for most of the project, though you may be flagged through at times. If we have to temporarily close all access, we will provide an accessible way to get around the project. Sign up for project news to learn more as we get closer to the start of construction.
In the neighborhood
We are limiting nighttime work to only 90 nights so that project noise is less disruptive to the surrounding neighborhood. During those nights neighbors may hear construction noise. We will use construction practices that mitigate noise and we will have a 24/7 noise hotline for neighbors to call during construction.
Collaboration with PBOT
ODOT is collaborating with the Portland Bureau of Transportation on the project elements that affect 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 sidewalk to continue the connection north to SW Barbur Boulevard. ODOT will connect the end of that sidewalk project through this project’s area to SW Barbur Boulevard, thus ensuring continued pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and connectivity along SW 26th Ave.
View from SW 26th Avenue looking southeast.
Questions or comments? Contact:
Ellen Sweeney, ODOT Community Affairs
Ellen.Sweeney@odot.oregon.gov | 971-336-1249
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 ustéd español? Podemos proveer la información en esta publicación en español. Para recibir la información en español, por favor llamé al 503-731-4128.
