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Welcome to our online open house!

ODOT is getting ready to replace the I-5 bridge over SW 26th Avenue.

We will build a new structure under the bridge starting in 2023, and in 2024 we will remove the existing bridge deck and pave during a weekend closure of I-5.

Explore this online open house to learn more about the project and how it will affect you.

Stations

Learn about the history of the project and why these repairs are needed.
The design will bring a new look to the bridge above and improve the street below.
Learn about the schedule and expected traffic impacts on I-5.
Learn about the schedule and expected traffic impacts on SW 26th Avenue.
Find out where to get more project information.

Project Background

I-5 over 26th Avenue project area

The Interstate 5 bridge over SW 26th Avenue was built in 1959 and widened in the 1980s. It carries over 100,000 vehicles per day. Its deck is heavily worn and near the end of its useful life so we need to replace it with a new structure.

ODOT is working closely with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) for the portion of the project on SW 26th Avenue. See more about this later in this online open house.

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

  • Construction starts in 2023 - SW 26th Avenue will be closed to motor vehicles for about a year.

  • 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


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Process and Design

Using an innovative method, we will construct a new structure underneath the existing bridge. We will then remove the current bridge and replace it with asphalt paving during one weekend I-5 full closure in both directions.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.


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I-5 Construction Impacts

I-5 over 26th Avenue project area

We expect to start construction in early 2023 and finish in summer 2024, though the schedule is subject to change.

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.


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Local Construction Impacts on SW 26th Avenue

I-5 over 26th Avenue project area

Most of the construction impacts will occur on SW 26th Avenue as crews work to replace the current bridge with a new, improved structure and upgrade SW 26th Avenue with better lighting, bike lanes and sidewalks.

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.


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Thank you!

Thank you for visiting this online open house. We will share more about this project as we get closer to construction. Visit bit.ly/swi-5repair to read the latest project updates or sign up for project emails.

If you have questions or comments about the project, let us know via email!

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.



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