Sept. 10, 2020
Northbound span of the Interstate Bridge and four area ramps close at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 12
A nighttime view of the north tower during preparation work for the Sept. 12-20 closure. Photo courtesy of WSDOT.
Get ready: Make your travel plans now
At first it was years away, then months and weeks and days away and now the Sept. 12-20 closure of the northbound span of the Interstate Bridge is just hours away.
The closure begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and with it comes the possibility of nine days of major congestion throughout the Portland and Vancouver area.
If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to plan an alternative to using the Interstate Bridge: maybe work from home, travel at off times, use mass transit or use an alternate route. But remember, the Interstate 205 Glenn Jackson Bridge can’t easily absorb all the rerouting traffic.
The northbound span is 103 years old and this closure is needed to replace some of those original components. This is early 20th century technology with clanging steel, blaring horns and a system of pulleys and cables that raise and lower the bridge. These parts perform an essential function in keeping the bridge operating and keeping river traffic moving on the Columbia River.
If drivers change their traveling habits, we can reduce the amount of potential congestion throughout the region. So make your alternate travel plan now, check TripCheck.com (and WSDOT alerts in Washington) and feel confident that you can make it to your destination on time.
Drive safely in the work zone
Traffic patterns will be new and unfamiliar. Pay complete attention to your driving. An inattentive driver is the most common cause of work zone crashes.
Slow down: The speed limit will drop to 40 mph. Expect delays — plan for them — and leave early so you can drive safely through the work zone.
Upcoming traffic impacts
Sept. 12-20: Nine-day closure of the northbound span
At 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, crews will begin closing the northbound span of the Interstate Bridge, which will remain closed 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. View detour information.
Ramp closures
During the bridge closure, four ramps in the project area will close for traffic control and to ensure a safe work zone:
- Marine Drive on-ramp to I-5 north in Portland.
- Hayden Island on-ramp to I-5 north in Portland.
- I-5 north to SR 14 off-ramp in Vancouver.
- SR 14/Washington Street on-ramp to I-5 south in Vancouver.
Signs will direct travelers to detour routes. Learn more on the project website.
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 the northbound span and nighttime ramp closures between Victory Boulevard in Portland and SR 14 in Vancouver.
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