December 18, 2013

Overnight closures of Interstate 5 south between the Fremont Bridge and the Marquam Bridge and the I-5 southbound exit to City Center/OMSI are planned December 19 – 23. The closures are needed for an inspection of the east approach to the Burnside Bridge, which passes above Interstate 5. Night closures of the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 in the same area are planned January 3 – 6.

The Burnside Bridge inspection will assess the structure’s current condition and identify recommended repairs for the short and long term. The 87-year old span has an unusual feature in that the steel beams that support the bridge were encased with concrete when the bridge was built. Eight decades later, the concrete coating is deteriorating in areas where moisture gathers and small chunks have fallen off.

As part of the inspection, maintenance crews will remove any loose concrete. Freeway lanes below the bridge need to be closed during the inspection to ensure the safety of motorists. Crews will install vertical nets to protect adjacent lanes from falling concrete during the inspection. Horizontal nets will be added under the bridge to protect freeway traffic in coming years, until a major repair project is completed.

Closures this week (weather permitting) are:

  • I-5 southbound exit 300B to Hwy. 26/Hwy. 99E/OMSI will be closed from 9 p.m. on December 19 until 5 a.m. on December 20. The detour is via Exit 302A. 
  • All lanes of I-5 southbound closed and one northbound lane of I-5 closed between Fremont and Marquam bridges:
    • From 10:30 p.m. on December 20 to 7:30 a.m. on December 21 
    • From 11 p.m. on December 21 to 7:30 a.m. on December 22
    • From 10:30 p.m. on December 22 to 5 a.m. on December 23 (if needed)

When I-5 south is fully closed, the following ramps in the area will also be closed:

  • Greeley Avenue to I-5 south
  • I-405 north to I-5 south
  • I-5 south Exit 302A to Rose Quarter
  • Weidler/Wheeling/Winning Way to I-5 south
  • I-5 south Exit 301 to I-84 eas
  • t I-5 south Exit 300B to Hwy. 26/Hwy. 99E/OMSI

All northbound ramps to I-5 will be open.

Advance signing will direct drivers to detour routes that will be posted with signs to help drivers get around the closure. Motorists should allow more travel time due to the detours. Interstate 405 will provide an easy way around the closure without leaving the freeway. “Use the loop” is a good strategy for freeway drivers to get around on inspection nights.

The work will not impact traffic on the Burnside Bridge.

Multnomah County maintains the Burnside Bridge and the Oregon Department of Transportation maintains Interstate 5.

A map of the closure area and the primary detour is available here. Visit www.TripCheck.com or dial 511 for information on road conditions and closures.