UPDATE! ODOT just announced that they won't be closing I-5 this weekend because the thunderstorms have led to wet pavement that screws up the repaving process. Here'e the new closure schedule:
11 p.m. Friday, July 27 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 30: I-5 southbound will close
11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6: I-5 southbound will close
11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20: I-5 northbound will close
However! Now it turns out the Broadway Bridge will be closed Sunday morning for an entirely unrelated reason: The filming of a Leverage episode. The Broadway will be closed to all traffic—including bikes and pedestrians—from 5am to 10am.
The Powell closure still stands. /end update
Two major roads in the middle of Portland are closed this weekend: I-5 southbound is closed for a mile for a repaving that's costing $1.3 million and SE Powell is closed to all traffic between 17th Avenue and 21st Avenue as crews demolish the 17th Avenue overpass in preparation for the new MAX line in the area. Both are closed from Friday night through early Monday morning.
Last weekend, ODOT's handling of the I-5 closure caused a... hmm, how would you say this? A total traffic clusterfuck. So here is your official warning:
A one-mile stretch of Interstate 5 southbound between the Fremont Bridge and the Marquam Bridge will close again this weekend from 11 p.m. Friday, July 20 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 23.Drivers should avoid I-5 south and adjacent freeways or plan to experience significant delays. Travelers heading south of Portland can also use Interstate 205.
Motorists southbound on I-5 should use Interstate 405 as a detour. Motorists heading for Interstate 84 should use I-405 to I-5 north. Local traffic to the Rose Quarter from I-5 south, though, can use the Rose Quarter off-ramp (exit 302A). Through traffic on I-5 should avoid the Rose Quarter off-ramp.
Here are some places where you can purchase a bicycle for the occasion.
