PORTLAND, Ore. — ODOT began reopening lanes of the I-5 bridge Friday night, two days ahead of schedule.
The agency expected to have all northbound lanes open in the early morning hours Saturday.
Crews also reopened four nearby ramps which had been closed since Sunday.
The Interstate Bridge closure began Saturday, September 19 to allow crews to replace aging parts on the bridge lift mechanism.
It was expected to be closed nine days, and reopen by Monday, September 28.
The project was postponed from earlier in the month to keep the interstate open for wildfire evacuations.
Drivers reported long backups at times trying to cross the bridge during the closure, but delays didn't seem to be as bad as predicted.
All traffic had to use the southbound span while the northbound was closed.
During the morning commute, two lanes flowed southbound; during the afternoon commute, two lanes flowed northbound.
ODOT used a zipper-barrier to make the transitions twice each day.