Motorists, get ready for some slowdowns on the northbound I-5 near Exit 278 and Ehlen Road NE. There will be nighttime lane closures next week, as part of the ongoing Aurora-Donald Interchange project aimed at replacing the current bridges over I-5 with a spanking new one, according to a bulletin from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ORDOT). Crews have finished the middle portion of the bridge and are now moving on to set the beams for the project's east side.
The lane closures are necessary for the large crane operations required to place the beams. On Tuesday night, Feb. 3, a single northbound lane will be closed starting at 8 p.m., followed by a two-lane closure at 10 p.m. There will also be flaggers directing traffic, and Ehlen Road NE traffic will be periodically halted for about every 30 minutes to allow beam setting. These lanes and roadways are expected to be back in business by 7 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should brace for delays of up to 20 minutes and be prepared for some noise disruptions as the teams work to put 20 beams in place across two spans.
Wednesday's focus will be on moving cranes to get ready for Thursday, but Feb. 5 will see crews place the last of the beams without planned lane or road closures. However, flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic around construction movements. Drivers are urged to proceed with caution and to slow down in work areas, as the construction equipment is often moving in and out of traffic, sometimes using the far left lane.
Travelers driving through the project area can expect continued impact: nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and single lane closures on other roads from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as needed, ORDOT reports. The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph in the work zone, and drivers should stay alert for grooves in the pavement along the median shoulder. Remember, no lane changes are allowed where double white lines are present.
For those interested in more details, an interactive construction map is available to check out on the project's webpage.
