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I-5 between I-84 and I-405 is the top traffic bottleneck in Oregon, and the 28th worst freight bottleneck in the nation. The project is needed to address the following:
The I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project has been part of regional transportation conversations since the 1980s. Learn more:
A new cover over I-5, similar to a very wide bridge, that reconnects local streets and creates new community spaces on top for future development and economic opportunities.
A new east-west roadway crossing over I-5 that reconnects Hancock Street across the highway, adding another crossing north of Broadway and Weidler.
A variety of street improvements for people walking, biking and rolling.
A link on Broadway and Weidler to the city’s Green Loop, a 6-mile bike and pedestrian path that allows people to travel safely through the heart of the city.
Ramp-to-ramp connections, paired with wider shoulders, that improve safety and reduce congestion at the state’s top bottleneck.
Relocation of the I-5 southbound off-ramp from Vancouver/Broadway to the south, connecting with N Wheeler Avenue.
The project is following the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which is a federal law requiring agencies seeking federal funding or approval to assess the potential impacts of their project on the natural, human and built environments. NEPA environmental documents compare the effects of building a project with the effects of not building a project.
In 2019, ODOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) prepared an EA for the project, followed by a public comment period in accordance with NEPA. In 2020, ODOT and FHWA prepared a Revised EA that responded to public and agency comments on the 2019 EA, and FHWA signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the project. In 2021, ODOT made design changes at the direction of the Oregon Transportation Commission based on an Independent Cover Assessment and community feedback. The FHWA determined that the design changes warranted additional review in accordance with NEPA, and rescinded the 2020 FONSI. As a result, ODOT incorporated the design changes into a Revised Build Alternative, and with FHWA, prepared the Supplemental EA to evaluate the benefits and impacts of the Revised Build Alternative compared to a No-Build Alternative.
Learn how project construction will affect those accessing the project area, and what measures will be taken to reduce temporary construction impacts.
Review how the proposed project design is expected to improve safety for all travel modes on I-5 and local streets.
Learn how motor vehicle traffic operations will be impacted both on I-5 and local streets.
Find out how movement for people walking, biking and rolling would generally improve with the project compared to without the project.
Learn how the project impacts transit operations and ridership.
Read about the expected reductions in air toxins, emissions and pollutants over the next 25 years.
Gain an understanding of the project’s noise analysis and what design proposals are in place for sound walls in the project area.
Review the key climate change findings regarding greenhouse gas emissions.
Learn about Environmental Justice and the project’s commitment to Environmental Justice values.
The project area includes 4 Section 4(f) park resources and 15 Section 4(f) historic sites. Understand how the project will impact those resources and sites.
The project vicinity includes a historic district and historic properties. Learn how the project will impact those historic resources in the short term and the long term.
The topics listed above received the most public interest to date. Other topic areas that can be found in the Supplemental EA include:
You can read more about these topics in the project library at i5rosequarter.org/resources/library.
By centering restorative justice as one of the project’s primary values, ODOT is doing business differently by facilitating community involvement through informed project design and workforce opportunities for the Black community.
Two advisory committees oversee and provide direction for the project. All committee meetings are open to the public and welcome public comment.
We’re hosting a series of online design surveys to collect community feedback on designs that honor the historic Albina community and could be added to highly visible areas of the project infrastructure.
We’re reshaping the way we do business by taking a more collaborative approach to contracting work for the project and encouraging the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.
Information is available in alternative formats upon request.
There are several ways to submit a comment, and all comments received through these channels are viewed equally:
Leave a comment in the form below or at i5RoseQuarter.org between November 15, 2022 and January 4, 2023.
Send an email with "Supplemental EA public comment period" in the subject line to:
Leave a recorded voicemail at this number:
(503) 470-3127
Send a written comment to this address:
Project Manager
c/o I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project
888 SW 5th Ave. Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204
Provide your verbal comments at the Virtual Public Hearing on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
In an effort to promote equity and in line with the project values, the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project will ask people who identify as Black and/or people with ties to the historic Albina neighborhood to speak first, after invited testimony.
Registration is now closed.
If you don't want to speak at the virtual public hearing, you can watch it live on YouTube.
View a printed copy of the document at the Multnomah County Library Albina branch:
216 NE Knott St.
Portland, OR 97212
The FHWA will consider all public comments received on the Supplemental EA before making a decision on the project. The decision document and records of public comments are expected to be available on the project website in early 2023. Pending the FHWA’s decision, construction on the project could begin in late 2023. We'll continue to engage the community as the project progresses.
To learn more about the project, visit i5RoseQuarter.org.