September construction update: Forest Lane Bridge reopens, new website features and more!
Our Columbia River Gorge project website got a recent upgrade including easier access to information. Take a look at the new interactive map that allows you to see all of the Gorge projects at a glance. To use the map on our website, click or tap the icons or lines to learn more about a specific project’s benefits and potential traffic impacts.
Click to enlarge.
We are actively maintaining roadways to improve your trip. As summer wraps up and we move into fall, expect some lane closures around-the-clock. Construction schedules are often weather dependent and subject to change. Check TripCheck.com for real-time information or read on to learn more about each project and their traffic impacts:
Forest Lane Bridge Raising: Bridge re-opened!
We are excited to announce the Forest Lane Bridge has re-opened! Thank you for your patience these last few months as crews raised this low-height structure.
The bridge is located over I-84 in Cascade Locks, and now taller freight can use this critical route between Troutdale and eastern Oregon without detours.
Throughout September you can expect periodic lane closures on NW Forest Lane and Frontage Road as crews clean up the work area.
 Construction crews have finished raising the overpass and the Forest Lane Bridge has now re-opened!
Construction updates and traffic impacts
Landslide Repair: In early 2021, nearly 30 debris flows, a type of fast-moving landslide, occurred along the Historic Columbia River Highway a mile west of Multnomah Falls leaving debris on the roadway. We cleaned the debris, repaired the highway and made temporary repairs to the slope. Beginning this fall, we will make additional repairs, including cleaning out debris from basins, diverting the flow of stormwater which includes new culverts under the Historic Highway and I-84, and a new berm. One new culvert will allow stormwater to drain off the steep slope and under the Historic Highway while a separate culvert beneath I-84 will allow stormwater to flow into the Columbia River. These repairs will help reduce the potential for debris from any future landslides to impact the highways.
While the landslide repair is underway this fall, travelers can expect:
- Brief delays during daylight hours while trucks are entering and exiting the work zone on the Historic Highway beginning as soon as this week. Watch for flaggers directing traffic.
- A full closure of the Historic Highway one mile west of Multnomah Falls for two days in late September or October.
When work begins on the culvert under I-84 this fall, travelers can expect:
- To see a temporary access road installed on the north side of I-84 down to the river.
- Crews will be working primarily on the westbound shoulder of I-84 with occasional east and westbound single lane closures at night.
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I-84 Paving: Paving continues on I-84 between Multnomah Falls and Cascade Locks. Crews recently completed the majority of paving between Multnomah Falls and Ainsworth State Park and are now paving between Ainsworth State Park and Cascade Locks. Permanent striping continues throughout the project area. Travelers can expect:
- Nighttime single lane closures from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights along the entire project area with periodic ramp closures.
- Beginning as soon as Sept. 18, around-the-clock single lane closures in Cascade Locks from Sunday nights at 5 pm. through Thursdays at 4 p.m. for about three weeks. During the closure, over-width trucks (over 9 feet) will be detoured through the city of Cascade Locks.
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Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail Construction: Periodic daytime lane closures can be expected Mondays through Thursdays near Viento State Park with I-84 Exit 58 to the Mitchell Point Overlook closed around-the-clock for trail and tunnel construction. Starting in October, expect single lane closures along eastbound I-84 near Viento State Park around-the-clock, seven days a week.
Culvert Repair: The I-84 Culvert Repair project has one culvert repair left to extend highway lifespan and maintain safety. Travelers on I-84 can expect:
- A few nights of nighttime lane closures between Corbett and Multnomah Falls.
- A few nights of nighttime closures of the Exit 22 westbound off-ramp to the Corbett Viewpoint.
TriMet’s Better Red Light Rail Improvement: TriMet’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate and improve the MAX system will continue in September and require closures of I-84 and a small section of the MAX Blue Line.
- From 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, to 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, a 1.5-mile stretch of I-84 will be closed in both directions near the I-205 interchange. Use an alternate route.
More information on work scheduled for 2022 and beyond is available on our project website. Stay tuned for more email updates!
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