Detours for I-5: How to get around the four-mile closure in Portland this weekend

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Don’t forget: A four-mile stretch of I-5 will close over the weekend.

The closure will run southbound between the Southwest Terwilliger off-ramp and the Capitol Highway on-ramp as well as northbound between the Southwest Barbur Boulevard off-ramp and the Terwilliger on-ramp.

It will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, June 28 and 5 a.m. Monday, July 1 while crews work to remove the top of the existing bridge over 26th Avenue.

The southbound Terwilliger exit ramp will also close 7-9 p.m. on Friday, June 28 and 5-7 a.m. Monday, July 1.

In the meantime, you’ll want to find a different route to get where you want to go.

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, regional detours are available via I-205, US 26, I-405 and OR 217. Local detours will use Southwest Barbur Boulevard, which will maintain local access.

However, officials say congestion is to be expected in these areas due to the closure.

Construction for the I-5 bridge over Southwest 26th Avenue began in Spring 2023 after its deck became “heavily worn and near the end of its useful life,” ODOT said.

“The I-5 bridge over SW 26th Avenue was built in 1959 and widened in the 1980s. It carries over 100,000 vehicles per day,” officials said in a press release. “The project replaces the worn-out bridge for a smoother ride and to meet current seismic safety standards.”