Submitted by Oregon Department of Transportation
ODOT has rescheduled the start of the I-5 Interstate Bridge Trunnion Replacement Project for September 19 following its postponement because of wildfires.
The northbound span had been set to close at 12:01 a.m. Saturday to replace major components of the lift mechanism on the 1917 span. The project will keep the northbound structure closed for nine days.
On Thursday evening, ODOT postponed the work to help keep the roads as clear as possible for wildfire evacuees and emergency responders.
On Friday, after consultation with WSDOT, the construction team, the U.S. Coast Guard and other stakeholders, ODOT announced it would begin the closure one week late with closure of the northbound span beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. The schedule could change depending on conditions.
“This project needs to get done within the window of our Coast Guard permit and while the river level remains low,” said Rian Windsheimer, ODOT manager for the Portland area. “It’s time to get prepared for this closure and make a plan to avoid the expected congestion.”
Rescheduled closure details
We will begin closure of the northbound span at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 and it will remain closed until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27.
Following the rescheduled nine-day closure, the left lane on the southbound span will close Sept. 28-Oct. 4 around the clock as crews upgrade the median barrier, remove equipment and wrap up the project.
Go to InterstateBridge.org, the project website, for maps and detour directions, bike and pedestrian information, travel strategies and other project details.
Check TripCheck.com for real-time traffic updates in Oregon and wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts in Washington.
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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.
The bridge closure is scheduled for September in part due to the low river levels, which allow most vessels to travel under the Interstate Bridge without a bridge lift. This is essential for marine traffic, because the Columbia River is an international shipping channel.
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.
