Drivers in Portland, brace yourselves for a weekend of potential gridlock: the right lane on southbound Interstate 5 is set to close from 8 p.m. this Friday, July 11, to 6 a.m. on Monday, July 14, for the construction of new RealTime signs. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), this is the beginning of a project aimed at enhancing real-time traffic information for commuters.
The closure will stretch from SW Corbett Avenue to SW Terwilliger Boulevard, and while all ramps will stay open, ODOT has warned of expected delays, so plan your trips accordingly; the work zone might be a slow ride, we may face congestion that'll test our patience and disrupt our usual weekend rush. This initiative, as detailed by ODOT, extends beyond a single weekend – similar lane closures will be announced for up to three additional weekends, details to be confirmed.
ODOT's bulletin outlines the objective behind these infrastructure improvements, highlighting the expected safety benefits and efficiencies for Oregon's road networks. Variable Advisory Speed (VAS) signs, utilizing traffic and weather sensors, along with cameras, will provide drivers with up-to-date advisory speeds that reflect current road conditions.
The ongoing project spans a critical corridor on I-5 and is set to continue through the fall of 2025, and the RealTime signs promise to reduce the number of rear-end crashes, ease traffic flow and overall, create a safer travel experience by enabling drivers to adjust their speed in response to the road ahead however work in such live arteries of our daily commutes inevitably causes disruptions, we ask that you check TripCheck.com for updates on construction schedules before setting out.
