Construction work will again close a large section of southbound Interstate 5 through Portland throughout this weekend, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
ODOT will close all of the freeway’s southbound lanes between 11 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday, from the Fremont Bridge to the Marquam Bridge. Crews are repairing a mile-long stretch of roadway, plus connecting ramps, panels and stormwater systems.
This isn’t the first — or the last — weekend-long closure on I-5 this summer. The first closure two weeks ago snarled traffic on nearby routes, including Interstate 84 and Interstate 405. Crews had planned to continue the work last week, but the closure was canceled due to rain.
Southbound drivers can use I-405 to get around the closure through Portland, but it’s likely to be crowded once the detour starts. Though more out of the way, Interstate 205 to the east might be a congestion-free option, according to ODOT.
