Neighbors, businesses anticipate disruptions by I-5 closure weekend

Delays and congestion are expected while transportation workers complete a bridge replacement project along I-5 this weekend.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — As transportation officials prepare for a major shutdown along I-5 in Southwest Portland this weekend, local residents and businesses are anticipating disruptions to their normal day-to-day life.

The closure will run southbound between the Southwest Terwilliger off-ramp and the Capitol Highway on-ramp as well as northbound between the Southwest Barbur Boulevard off-ramp and the Terwilliger on-ramp. In total, it will be a four-mile stretch that is affected during the replacement project for a bridge that runs over Southwest 26th Avenue. The closure begins at 9 p.m. Friday and ends 5 a.m. on Monday, July 1.

People who must travel along what would normally be that stretch of freeway will still be able to make it to their destinations but it may just take longer to get there. KOIN 6 News has a full breakdown of alternative routes at this link.

On paper, a heavier flow of traffic getting routed onto neighborhood streets may seem like a good thing for local businesses. However, one local bar owner who spoke with KOIN 6 News said he’s bracing for a loss of business.

“I anticipate anywhere between 40 and 50% reduction in business,” said Patrick Murphy, owner of The Old Barn off of Southwest Barber Boulevard. “I know people say, ‘Oh there’s lots of cars coming by’. Right, but they’re not looking to necessarily go to lunch, they’re not looking to necessarily go to dinner or whatever.”

Murphy said the local watering hole normally serves dozens of guests on their busiest days, especially Friday and Saturday nights.

Neighbors and regulars at The Old Barn said they’re a little confused and frustrated at the idea of a complete shutdown of a four-mile stretch of freeway for multiple days.

“We don’t understand why they’re shutting the entire highway for the whole weekend,” Chantal Wright said. “This is extreme. If you live anywhere near I-5, you’re going to hear this construction all night long.”

While Murphy echoed those sentiments of frustration, he said he also understands why inconveniences like this may pop up for the sake of infrastructure improvements.

“Anytime that we see construction that’s an improvement, I think most people are for it. And you know I’m certainly willing to put up with, you know, a certain amount of inconvenience,” Murphy said. “We’re here, we’re open, and you know, stop on by.”

Don Hamilton, an Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson, explained to KOIN 6 News the urgency behind the bridge replacement.

“It’s really running the end of its useful life. We need to make sure that it is safe, we need to make sure that it’s seismically strengthened,” he said. “If you plan ahead, there shouldn’t be any disruption. Any time you take a major road like Interstate 5 out of action, out of the transportation system, there’s going to be a lot of trouble.”

Drivers can expect congestion and delays this weekend in the areas around the Southwest 26th Avenue I-5 bridge, including detour roads. The bridge was originally constructed in 1959, was widened in the 1980s and currently carries roughly 100,000 vehicles per day, officials said.