A major infrastructure upgrade in Portland will bring significant traffic disruptions this fall, as the Oregon Department of Transportation prepares to fully close southbound lanes of Interstate 5 through the Rose Quarter for more than a month.
The closure is scheduled to begin Sept. 11 and continue around the clock for up to five weeks. During that time, all southbound traffic will be rerouted, with drivers directed to Interstate 405 or exits such as North Broadway. Key onramps—including those from North Greely Avenue, I-405 and Northeast Wheeler Avenue—will also be closed.
Transportation officials are warning commuters to expect severe congestion, particularly during peak travel times.
“This is going to be some of the worst traffic this region has seen in a while,” said ODOT spokesperson Rose Gerber. “It's not going to be an easy time to get through the Rose Quarter area or try to navigate around I-5 at this time.”
The construction work focuses on an elevated section of I-5 that carries traffic over several key corridors, including Northeast Multnomah and Holladay streets, Lloyd Boulevard, rail lines and portions near the Willamette River.
According to ODOT, the aging bridge deck has deteriorated over time, requiring frequent emergency repairs due to ruts and potholes. Crews will remove and replace the existing concrete surface layer, inspect and repair the underlying base and continue seismic retrofitting work already underway.
“Most of this is an elevated structure bridge deck that needs to have more than just your typical re-pavement or getting the concrete replaced,” Gerber said. “We are going to be stripping the existing concrete down to the rebar, and we are going to be making sure that there's no extra decay underneath that concrete.”
Officials said a full closure is the most efficient approach, allowing crews to complete the work faster, more safely and at a lower cost compared to partial lane closures.
ODOT estimates that congestion could be up to three times worse than normal if drivers maintain typical commuting patterns. Delays may stretch as far north as Vancouver, Washington, during peak periods.
“We are asking everyone to plan ahead,” said David Kim, ODOT’s statewide project delivery manager. “Many drivers have no other options than to drive through this area. If you have flexibility to change your travel plans, whether that’s traveling during off-peak times, using public transit, or planning an alternate route, please do.”
Northbound I-5 traffic will remain open throughout the construction period, and the ramp from Interstate 84 to southbound I-5 will continue operating.
The work is part of the broader I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, a long-term initiative aimed at modernizing and expanding the corridor. The current phase includes deck replacement and seismic upgrades, along with preparations for adding an auxiliary southbound lane between I-84 and the Morrison Bridge.
However, the larger $2 billion project faces a significant funding shortfall. State officials have secured only a portion of the required financing, raising uncertainty about later phases, including plans to construct a 1,500-foot freeway cover over portions of the corridor.
Additional improvements to the northbound section of the bridge are expected in 2027.
Originally reported by Anthony Macuk (KGW) in KGW8.
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