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News release
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I-5 Interstate Bridge
Trunnion Replacement
Nine-day closure of the Interstate Bridge northbound span: Sept. 19-27, 2020
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Sept. 22, 2020
Commuters: continue to plan ahead and expect delays as bridge work continues
 Traffic on the southbound span, with two southbound lanes open.
Keep traffic moving: stay alert, drive safely!
With both directions of I-5 sharing the southbound span of the Interstate Bridge, keeping your full attention on driving is especially important.
When only two or even one travel lane is available, a crash can quickly cause backups and inattentive drivers are the most common cause of work zone crashes.
Here are some reminders for keeping the work zone – and you – safe:
- Be alert! Traffic patterns change twice daily.
- Park your phone (and other devices or distractions) while driving.
- Plan your route ahead of time and check conditions before you set out. Check TripCheck.com for real-time traffic updates in Oregon and wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts in Washington.
- Double your following distance. Don’t tailgate.
- Slow down: the speed limit is reduced to 40 mph and remember fines in work zones double whether workers are present or not.
How’s it going?
- The closure of the I-5 Interstate Bridge northbound span is scheduled for completion by 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Following the closure, the left lane on the southbound span will close around the clock Sept. 27-Oct. 4.
- Traffic in the first commute periods of the closure has been slow but moving through the work zone. Remember to make an alternate travel plan to avoid congestion.
- As of Tuesday, the old parts – some dating back to 1917 – have been removed from the bridge and all new parts are now on site. Both of the 103-year-old, 12-foot diameter sheaves have been removed and the new ones will bet set in place Tuesday.
- Crews are laying out new cables that will be tested with several lifts of the northbound span later this week. These lifts will not impact traffic.
- WSDOT is closing the off-ramp from northbound I-5 to Vancouver City Center from 10 p.m. to midnight Tuesday while crews clear storm drains in anticipation of upcoming rain.
Reminders for weekday travelers
Plan your travel strategy and check conditions before heading out to help reduce congestion. Expect delays!
Here are a few things to remember about traffic through the work zone:
- The ramp from northbound I-5 to SR 14 is closed. The best way to get to SR 14 is to continue north to Fourth Plain Boulevard, cross over the highway and take I-5 south to SR 14.
- The northbound I-5 off-ramp to Jantzen Beach Center (exit 308) is open. However, the Hayden Island on-ramp to I-5 northbound in Portland is closed and travelers leaving Jantzen Beach/Hayden Island should follow the signed detour onto I-5 south.
- Bike and pedestrian travelers crossing the Interstate Bridge in both directions are sharing the sidewalk on the southbound span. Cyclists, please walk your bike across the bridge to increase safety for all users on the narrow sidewalk.
- Know before you go. You can view real-time traffic conditions and road cameras on TripCheck.com in Oregon and wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts in Washington. Expect delays and plan for them.
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The closure details
During the Sept. 19-27 nine-day northbound span closure, northbound and southbound traffic will share the three lanes and sidewalk on the southbound span. Movable concrete barriers 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 remains open at all times for people walking or riding bicycles. View detour information.
During the bridge closure, four ramps in the project area will close for traffic control and to ensure a safe work zone. Signs will direct travelers to detour routes. Learn more on the project website.
Sept. 27-Oct. 4: Lane closure on I-5 south
The left lane on the southbound span will close Sept. 27-Oct. 4 around the clock as crews upgrade the median barrier, remove equipment and wrap up the project.
Other impacts
After the closure, travelers should expect occasional night lane closures on I-5, up to 30-minute bridge lifts on the northbound span and nighttime ramp closures between Victory Boulevard in Portland and SR 14 in Vancouver.
Learn more
- Visit our Flickr for video and photos.
About the bridge
The Interstate Bridge is jointly owned by Oregon and Washington and is maintained and operated by ODOT. The two states are sharing the $13 million cost of this project. The northbound span opened in 1917 and the southbound span in 1958.
About the project
The northbound span of the Interstate Bridge will close from Sept. 19-27, 2020 as crews replace mechanical parts that help lift and lower the bridge. The Interstate Bridge is located on I-5 where it connects Oregon and Washington across the Columbia River.
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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 usted 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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