Sept. 18, 2020
Northbound span of the I-5 Interstate Bridge and four area ramps close at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19
A zipper barrier truck on site in preparation for the Sept. 19-27 closure of the northbound span. The zipper barrier machine will move concrete barrier twice a day.
Moving parts: travelers should pay attention to changing conditions
There are a lot of moving parts in this process and not all of them are in the bridge.
When the closure of the northbound span of the Interstate Bridge begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, a series of steps will have already taken place that will help ease the northbound Interstate 5 traffic onto the southbound span.
The shift will be gradual. Starting at 8 p.m. Friday, two lanes of each direction of I-5 will close. This will leave just one northbound lane open on the northbound span until the span closes down for the duration of the nine-day project. The lanes will be clearly marked and the speed limit will decrease to a comfortable 40 mph.
It will take crews time to put the zipper barrier in place. Once it’s in place, all traffic will share the three lanes of the southbound span, with 6,400 feet of concrete zipper barrier between the directions of travel.
Each day between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., the zipper barrier machine will move the concrete barriers to make the span two lanes southbound and one lane northbound. The process will reverse in the afternoon, between noon and 1 p.m., to make two lanes northbound and one southbound for the evening commute.
The closure details
Sept. 19-27 Nine-day closure of the northbound span
Friday night, Sept. 18, double lane closures begin at 8 p.m. in both directions of I-5 to install the zipper barrier.
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. 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
Before and 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.
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Slow down and watch for traffic changes
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.
Learn more
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