Bridge Repair to Affect Commerce

Portland, Oregon -- Low clearance for river vessels, and congested freeway lanes for bridge traffic has Oregon and Washington state transportation officials saying plan ahead! Repair of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River will render the nortbound bridge and lift span inoperable from September 16 to October 6.

Starting September 16 the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) partially closes the 80-year-old bridge between Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, Wash. for emergency repairs to replace a critical piece (trunnion) of the lift-span mechanism.

During the 21 days restriction, northbound vehicular traffic will shift to share the southbound lanes. Traffic congestion and delays on and in the vicinity of the Interstate 5 bridge is expected to be considerable with several, mile-long back ups.

Interstate truck/freight traffic is asked to take alternate routes unless pick up or delivery requires travel on the bridge or in the project corridor; and, should that be necessary, a flexible delivery schedule should be considered. Motor carrier traffic also is encouraged to obtain permits at Cascade Locks or Woodburn, Ore. ports of entry.

With the bridge's lift span inoperable, river traffic must negotiate the channel without the benefit of a bridge lift. Some river traffic can pass under the bridge by way of the high span near the south end of the bridge. A crane will be mounted to a bridge column at the north end of the bridge directly under the lift-span area. Watercraft should be aware of bridge work overhead near the north towers. Contact the National Weather Service's web page at http://nimbo.wrh.noaa.gov/Portland/ or call 1-503-261-9246 for Columbia River water levels during the repair project.