Officials Concerned about
Motorist Complacency

Salem, Oregon -- Portland and Vancouver traffic conditions during the repair of the Interstate 5 bridge may be worse than originally anticipated. This, according to Oregon Department of Transportation officials, may occur as a result of last week's announcement to shorten the bridge closure time from 21 days to one week.

"The announcement came as a godsend to everyone," said ODOT Region 1 Manager Don Wagner, "especially to the thousands of motorists who use the bridge each day."

Over the past several months, ODOT has contacted between seven and eight thousand businesses or individuals to encourage and facilitate transit, carpool and train use.

"We've had serious interest from motorists to adopt a transportation alternatives," Wagner commented. "We really can't afford to lose that commitment."

Tri-Met reports about 240 new carpools were formed last month. The transit agency anticipates rider interest in the four additional two-car light rail trains being added between Gateway and downtown Portland.

"The object is to decrease the amount of vehicles on the system through use of transportation alternatives," Wagner explained.

According to Wagner, that goal has not changed.

The bridge is still scheduled to close a 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. Motorists are encouraged to call ODOT's bridge repair information line at 1-800-722-6557 to plan their commute.