Interstate 5 Bridge Maintenance Project

How Was It?

We want to hear from you

Great effort was expended collecting empirical data on all aspects of the bridge closure -- traffic counts, backups, commuter decisions, and so on. We're also very interested in hearing from you about your experiences.

Now that the worst is over, please drop us a line! Send us details of how you varied your commute, your mode of travel, how long it took, particular trouble spots, what adjustments you made and how they worked, and anything else you feel like sharing. We'll post a sampling of these messages here, to highlight the heroics of everyone who helped avert what could've been the worst traffic jam in local history.

Let's fill this page! Thanks

Stories from Day 1
Stories from Day 2
Stories from Day 3

Free is a Very Good Price

It might be erroneous to put too much faith in the results of the move to mass transit exemplified during the bridge closure. I'm sure that more people took the train when it was free, than will take it when tickets must be purchased, even when traffic gets to projected loads.

It worked once, but there will be too many 'changes' to make it work on a continuing basis.

Thanks for this forum, it's great.

Norm Vader, 9/24/97

Impressive Display of Cooperation

Thanks to everybody on both sides of the river for your help during the bridge project: TriMet, ODOT, C-TRAN, WDOT, and especially the men and women of the Traffic Management Operations Center who let us camp out at "Mission Control." It was an impressive display of cooperation between the states and motorists.

John Windus, KWJJ FM 99.5 & AM 1080, 9/23/97

New Habits

I appreciate the advance notice and the planning that went into the bridge closure. I changed my routine from a 6:00am to 3:00pm to a 4:00am to 3:00pm 4 day week. I also picked up my wife for the trip home so that we could carpool. She started taking the bus in and decided that she will continue to do so now that the bridge is reopened.

I would also like to add that I like the HOV lanes and hope that you keep them even after the bridge is reopened.

David Johns, 9/22/97

Preparation Paid Off

You guys and gals did a fantastic job. Thanks to you, to the people who listened and follow your suggestions and to the bridge repair crew.

I especially think that you prepared the motorist for the possible long and or slow drives, thereby reducing "road rage" and believe it or not everyone was courteous, letting cars merge when they needed. I'm going to miss that.

Thank you.

Mary Cross, 9/22/97

HOV Lane

I drive into Vancouver from Battle Ground needing to be at work at 8:00 a.m. Had an uneventful drive, matter-of-fact, I was going an easy 55-60 mph! During my short time on the freeway, I had MANY cars pass me in the HOV lane, and there was only one person in the vehicle. Somewhat irritating, especially since traffic was going so smoothly. I know they can't all be caught, but sure would be nice if they could be!

Sandi Webber, 9/20/97

Cooperation

Our Portland sales office decided to stop marketing Southern Washington until the bridge repair was completed. Up until the day before the repair commenced, we averaged 5 sales reps from our office running daily sales appts in the Vancouver area. It's nice to have that kind of control and flexibility over your marketing plan. The various agencies did a great job of getting the word in plenty of time for people to make the necessary adjustments ahead of time.

Thanks for the good job!

RADCLOSER, 9/19/97

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