I-5/Willamette River Bridge Replacement
Submitted by sclauson on Mon, 09/19/2011 - 09:36
Construction Update -
Week of May 20, 2013
Southbound I-5 and the Franklin Boulevard on-ramp (milepost 192.8): No work is scheduled for this area. Please drive carefully through the work zone.
Northbound I-5 at the Franklin Boulevard exit (milepost 192.8): No work is scheduled for this area. The northbound Franklin Boulevard off-ramp (exit 192) is closed until October 2013; follow detour signs via exit 191 and Glenwood Boulevard. Please drive carefully through the work zone.
Laurel Hill Valley Neighborhood: The northbound Franklin Boulevard off-ramp (exit 192) is open from Riverview Street to Franklin Boulevard. Watch for roadside work crews and equipment. Watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting the travel lanes. Please drive carefully through the work zone.
Franklin Boulevard under I-5: Expect single-lane closures in both directions until June 2013. The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph. Watch for roadside work crews and construction vehicles entering and exiting the travel lanes from the roadway shoulder and at the intersection of Franklin Boulevard and Jenkins Drive. Please drive carefully and obey all construction signs and flagger instructions.
Interstate 5 (between mileposts 192.0 and 193.5): Watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting the travel lanes at the shoulder. Watch for temporary traffic signs, roadside work crews and equipment. Watch for nighttime single-lane and shoulder closures. Please drive carefully through the work zone.
Alton Baker Park and Whilamut Natural Area users: North Walnut Road through the park is closed. Watch for signs directing park users to detour paths. North Bank Path is closed under Interstate 5, east of Knickerbocker Bridge. Watch for signs directing bike and pedestrian traffic to the temporary detours. Watch for workers and equipment. Flaggers will assist path users. Please obey detour signs and all flagger instructions.
I-5 Northbound Off-ramp to Franklin Boulevard to Close for Two Years (PDF)
Path Detours During Construction (Click for larger PDF)
Completed:
No
MTIP:
I-5: Willamette River Bridge - Bundle 220
Construction Year:
2012
Jurisdiction:
ODOT
Mode:
Road
Description:
Replace interstate bridge #08329 at Willamette River.
The purpose of the project is to improve safety and maintain connectivity and mobility for all users of I-5 over the Willamette River and the Eugene/Springfield metropolitan area.
It was not cost-effective to repair or widen the original I-5 Willamette River Bridge to accommodate projected traffic increases. An inspection of the original bridge in 2002 found it to have major structural problems that threatened its stability and safety. The original bridge also was designed using standards that are no longer appropriate for the size of longer, heavier modern freight trucks. The bridge has substandard shoulders, creating a safety problem.
ODOT opened a temporary bridge in 2004 as an interim solution to keep the route open for freight and other vehicles until a new bridge could be built. The temporary bridge was constructed using materials and methods that could be installed quickly, but that do not meet environmental, design or seismic standards for permanent freeway bridges.
Timeline:
Spring 2009 - Winter 2014
Traffic Impacts:
Throughout the project, two lanes will be maintained in each direction on I-5 using staged construction with lane shifts. There will be occasional closures of the off- and on-ramps at Franklin Boulevard. There will also be occasional closures of Franklin Boulevard.
Pedestrians and cyclists, detour paths on the south bank of the Willamette River and in the Whilamut Natural Area ensure safe mobility around the construction areas for bicyclists and pedestrians. Kiosks located throughout the park provide updated path detour and construction information. Bicyclists and pedestrians may experience delays on paths on both sides of the river. Flaggers will direct path users, and detours will ensure continued connections between Eugene and Springfield. Bicyclists are subject to the same rules as motorists, including doubling of fines in construction zones for disobeying a flagger or riding on a closed road or path. Closures and delays are necessary to protect the safety of people using the paths, as well as construction workers.
Work Schedule:
The project schedule depends on weather and a number of other factors. Please check with this website or the other resources mentioned, for the latest information on schedule and traffic control. More project information is also available at www.willamettebridge.org and the Willamette River Bridge Project blog. You can also follow OregonDOT on Twitter.
Funding:
The $201 million is funded by the Oregon Transportation Investment Act and Federal SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) earmark funds.
Contact:
