The city of Portland is bracing for a significant disruption in its transportation network as the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) prepares to close all southbound lanes of Interstate 5 (I-5) starting September 11. This closure, which will last for approximately five weeks, is part of extensive repairs to the elevated structure just south of the Moda Center. The closure is expected to have a substantial impact on daily commutes and local events, prompting city officials to urge residents and visitors to plan ahead.
In anticipation of the closure, Portland has scheduled several major events to encourage alternative transportation methods and support local businesses. Among these events is the popular Sunday Parkways which will take over part of downtown Portland on September 13. This event will close the South Park Blocks and surrounding streets, providing an opportunity for people to explore downtown by foot, bike, or skates. Mayor Keith Wilson emphasized the importance of this event as a chance to support local businesses and promote multimodal transportation.
Navigating the closure: alternative routes and transportation options
The I-5 southbound closure will require travelers to seek alternative routes and transportation methods. ODOT has identified several routes that will experience increased congestion, including the Morrison Bridge, Steel Bridge, N Greeley Avenue, N Interstate Avenue, N Mississippi Avenue, N Vancouver Avenue, N/NE Broadway, NE 15th Avenue, NE 33rd Avenue, and NE Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. To help manage the increased traffic, ODOT and the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) have implemented several measures.
PBOT is hosting a City Bike Bus every Wednesday between September 16 and October 14 to help commuters navigate around the closure. Additionally, BIKETOWN and Lime will provide free 10-minute rides on e-bikes and e-scooters for any weekday trip starting or ending in the Rose Quarter Transit Center after September 11. These initiatives aim to encourage the use of alternative transportation methods and reduce congestion on the city’s streets.
Supporting local businesses and communities
The I-5 closure is expected to have a significant impact on local businesses, particularly those in the North and Northeast Portland districts. To mitigate these impacts, PBOT is working to support local businesses and communities. The city has identified several business districts that will be most affected by the closure, including the Historic Mississippi Business District, Williams Avenue, The Soul District, NE Broadway Business Association, St. Johns Boosters, and Kenton Business District.
PBOT is encouraging residents to Shift Your Trip and support these local businesses by delaying their commutes and visiting the business districts during off-peak hours. This initiative aims to reduce congestion on the city’s streets and support local businesses during the closure. Additionally, PBOT is providing resources for residents to lessen the impacts of the closure, including traffic advisories and information on alternative routes and transportation options.
Safety and infrastructure improvements
To ensure the safety of residents and commuters during the closure, PBOT is implementing several infrastructure improvements and traffic calming measures. These measures include temporary access restrictions, street closures, and the deployment of speed-reader boards and ‘Local Access Only’ signs. PBOT is also focusing on road maintenance, including filling potholes, refreshing striping, and cleaning bike routes.
PBOT’s Traffic Systems and Operations team has installed additional CCTV traffic monitoring cameras in the Rose Quarter area and downtown to monitor traffic remotely. Traffic engineers will adjust signal timing as needed to help keep traffic flowing. The public can also monitor Portland and area traffic conditions through ODOT’s TripCheck platform. Additionally, community members can help promote safer speeds on neighborhood streets by picking up a free ’20 is Plenty’ yard sign.
As Portland prepares for the I-5 southbound closure, city officials are urging residents and visitors to plan ahead and explore alternative transportation methods. By supporting local businesses, implementing safety measures, and encouraging the use of alternative routes, Portland aims to mitigate the impacts of the closure and ensure a smooth transition for commuters and the community.
