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Aug. 20, 2020
Plan your commute strategy now
for the closure of the I-5 Interstate Bridge northbound span
The Sept. 12-20 closure is now just three weeks away
 Expect congestion on the Interstate Bridge Sept. 12-20 when the northbound span closes to replace parts in the lift span on the 103-year-old bridge.
View more photos and videos.
Plan ahead for September travel between Portland and Vancouver
Start planning your strategy now for commuting between Portland and Vancouver during the Sept. 12-20 full closure of the northbound span of the Interstate Bridge and the Sept. 21-27 lane closure on the southbound span.
The delays could be long as I-5's capacity is greatly reduced during the closure.
Interstate 205 will remain open during this project. However, it is already at capacity and cannot easily absorb additional traffic diverted from I-5. Expect heavy congestion and long delays on I-205 if you choose this route.
Consider your travel options:
- Walk, bike or roll. The southbound sidewalk will remain open for cyclists and pedestrians. Learn more.
- Take transit. Learn more about the Bus on Shoulder program.
- Find and share a ride (Oregon and Washington)
Whatever you do, please follow current public health guidelines and recommendations for travel practices.
Travel safely
Tips for traveling safely in work zones
For drivers
- Pay complete attention to your driving! Traffic patterns will be different during the Sept. 12-20 closure and the work following. Look for people walking and biking.
- Obey all speed signs. The speed limit will be reduced during construction.
- Expect delays — plan for them — and leave early so you can drive safely through the work zone.
For cyclists and pedestrians
- Ride carefully over rough and uneven terrain and watch for steel plates in the roadway that may be slippery.
- Follow directions from flaggers -- they will be posted to help people crossing the Interstate Bridge on the southbound sidewalk.
Read more about pedestrians and bicyclists safety in work zones.
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Upcoming traffic impacts
Impacts through Aug. 27:
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All lanes of northbound I-5 will close at the Interstate Bridge from 1 to 3 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 22. Travelers can take Interstate 84 east to northbound I-205 as a detour into Clark County. Bikes and pedestrians should follow the signed detour to use the sidewalk on the southbound Interstate Bridge span.
- Nighttime lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. continue through Saturday night, Aug. 22.
Sept. 12-20: Nine-day closure of the northbound span
At 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 the northbound span of the Interstate Bridge will close until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 while crews replace mechanical parts that help raise and lower the bridge.
During the nine-day closure, northbound and southbound traffic will share the three lanes and sidewalk on the southbound span. Movable concrete barriers will allow two lanes of traffic in the busiest direction, with two southbound lanes open for the morning commute and two northbound lanes open for the afternoon commute.
The sidewalk on the southbound span will remain open at all times for people walking or riding bicycles.
Sept. 21-27: Lane closure on I-5 south
The left lane on the southbound span will close Sept. 21-27 around the clock as crews upgrade the median barrier, remove equipment and wrap up the project.
Other impacts
Before and after the September closure, travelers should expect occasional night lane closures on I-5, up to 30-minute bridge lifts on I-5 north and nighttime ramp closures between Victory Boulevard in Portland and SR 14 in Vancouver.
Learn more
- Go to InterstateBridge.org, the project web site, for maps and detour directions, bike and pedestrian information, travel strategies and other project details.
- Check TripCheck.com for real-time traffic updates.
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