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Four-mile stretch of I-5 in Portland reopens Monday morning after weekend-long closure

ODOT closed Interstate 5 between June 28-July 1 for bridge construction in Southwest Portland.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A four-mile stretch of Interstate 5 in Southwest Portland reopened early Monday morning after it was closed in both directions over the weekend so construction crews could continue work on the Southwest 26th Avenue overpass.

The closure started at night on Friday, June 28 and ended Monday, July 1 at around 3:30 a.m., almost two hours ahead of schedule, according to Don Hamilton with the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Here's what to know about the closure. 

What was closed?

The I-5 closure stretched southbound from the Southwest Terwilliger Boulevard exit ramp to the Capital Highway on-ramp. The northbound closures went from the Southwest Barbur Boulevard exit ramp to the Terwilliger on-ramp.

To ensure that drivers did not enter the construction zone while work was going on, the following on-ramps were closed:

Northbound on-ramp closures

  • Southwest Kruse Way
  • Southwest Haines Street
  • Southwest Capitol Highway
  • Southwest Spring Garden Street
  • OR 99W/Barbur Boulevard

 Southbound on-ramp closures

  • Interstate 405 on-ramp
  • South Harbor Drive on-ramp
Credit: Oregon Department of Transportation

How long did the closure last? 

Interstate 5 was closed in both directions for about 56 hours, starting Friday, June 28 at 9 p.m. and ended Monday, July 1 before 5 a.m.

What were the detours?

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) suggested that travelers use other major Portland-area highways — such as Interstate 205, Interstate 84, Oregon Highway 217 or U.S. 26 — if planning on going through Portland.

Southwest Barbur Boulevard was available for local traffic.

Why was I-5 closed?

Construction crews are rebuilding the bridge deck that spans Southwest 26th Avenue in Portland. The Interstate 5 bridge over 26th Avenue was built in 1959 and has been heavily worn down over time, as it carries over 100,000 vehicles a day. 

The plan for the project is to modernize the bridge by creating a smoother surface for motorists and bringing the bridge up to modern safety and seismic standards.

Click here to learn more about the project.

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