Stations
Construction Strategy
We will build a new structure underneath the existing I-5 bridge, then rebuild the roadway above during one weekend full closure of I-5 in both directions in summer 2024. Read more about how we chose this strategy on the next page.
Project Timeline
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Construction starts in April 2023 - SW 26th Avenue will close to motor vehicles for about a year.
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Summer 2024 - full closure of I-5 for four miles in both directions over 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 an on-site temporary detour bridge and shifting traffic to it during construction, creating major impacts on I-5 for almost two years.
- Build a new structure underneath I-5 and rebuild the roadway during one weekend full 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, nighttime lane closures on I-5, and nighttime one-direction closures on I-5, instead of almost two years of a temporary detour bridge and frequent traffic impacts on I-5.
Cost savings
This option costs about $13.5 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 major impacts to a nearby water quality treatment facility, 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
We are improving SW 26th Avenue with better lighting, bike lanes, and sidewalks. As the 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, 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 a graphic showing these improvements here.
A sketch of the new structure, viewed from SW 26th Avenue looking southeast.
Interstate 5
In summer 2024, we will close Interstate 5 in both directions for four miles over one full weekend from Friday night to Monday morning. Travelers should expect congestion and delays. Sign up for project news to be notified when we set the dates for the weekend closure.
By building a new structure underneath I-5, we save about six months of construction time and avoid having almost two years of a temporary detour bridge and frequent traffic impacts on I-5.
I-5 Traffic Impacts:
- Nighttime single lane closures on I-5 in both directions from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends.
- Up to 10 nighttime directional closures of I-5 (five northbound and five southbound) from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- In summer 2024, a full closure of I-5 for 4 miles over one weekend (Friday night to Monday morning). During these closures, there will be regional detours using I-205, OR 217 and a signed local detour. As we get closer to the closure, we will share detailed information and detour maps.
- Up to 30 nighttime double lane closures on I-5 in both directions from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. directly before and after the I-5 weekend closure for prep work, striping, and placement of shoulder barrier.
SW 26th Avenue
Beginning in spring 2023, SW 26th Avenue will fully close to motor vehicles from under I-5 to under Barbur Boulevard for about a year. SW Barbur Court will remain open to traffic. Businesses on SW Barbur Court and homes on SW 26th Avenue will be accessible. Find the SW 26th detour map here.
People walking, biking and rolling will 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. Sign up for project news to learn more.
SW 26th Avenue will fully close to motor vehicles from under I-5 to under SW Barbur Boulevard for about a year. SW Barbur Court will remain open to traffic.
In the neighborhood
We are limiting nighttime work to 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 noise mitigation measures to reduce noise. Use the 24/7 nighttime noise hotline to discuss any noise concerns: 503-276-7892.
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.
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.
