April 4, 2019

For more information, contact Don Hamilton, 503-704-7452

PORTLAND -- A new auxiliary lane along Interstate 205 southbound opened Wednesday as part of a project to reduce crashes and improve safety on I-205 from Johnson Creek Boulevard to the Glenn Jackson Bridge.

Approximately 25 percent of I-205 southbound traffic coming from I-84 eastbound is bound for the Division Street/Powell Boulevard exit (exit 19). The southbound auxiliary lane provides a direct connection between the I-84 eastbound exit to I-205 southbound and the Division Street/Powell Boulevard exit.

The southbound auxiliary lane is one of three new auxiliary lanes along I-205 between Johnson Creek and the Glenn Jackson Bridge being constructed in this two-year project.

Work continues throughout 2019, including finishing constructing the northbound auxiliary lane from I-84 eastbound to the Killingsworth Street exit, constructing a third auxiliary lane on I-205 northbound between Powell Boulevard and I-84 westbound and installing new electronic signs, called ODOT RealTime signs. This work is scheduled for completion at the end of 2019.

Studies show auxiliary lanes are an effective way to reduce bottleneck congestion. Typically, an auxiliary lane provides a direct connection from one interchange ramp to the next without requiring a weave into the freeway mainline.

For more information, visit www.i205construction.org.