The Morrison Bridge will be closed to all traffic for as long as two weeks starting Friday, July 21 at 8 pm while a concrete deck is poured and cures on the east leaf of the lift span. A two-inch concrete layer will be poured into the top of a new steel grate deck, to provide better traction. The bridge closure is needed because vibrations from traffic can damage new concrete while it cures, or hardens.
The closure will impact motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. The bridge will reopen earlier than August 4 if the work is completed ahead of schedule.
While the Morrison Bridge is currently limited to one lane in each direction, the bridge closure will impact traffic on nearby roads and bridges. Details of the traffic plan include:
Alternate river crossings for all modes include the Hawthorne and Burnside bridges.
Ramps between the Morrison Bridge and Interstate 5 and Interstate 84 will be closed, except for the ramp from the Morrison Bridge westbound to I-5 north.
Motorists can access I-84 eastbound at NE Grand Avenue and NE Everett Street.
I-5 north can be accessed from the west side via I-405 north (Fremont Bridge). Eastside access is from the ramp at NE Broadway and N Willams Ave.
To access downtown from the I-5 south or I-84 west, I-5 south drivers can exit at the Rose Quarter/Broadway Bridge and I-84 westbound drivers can exit at Rose Quarter/Weidler exits.
I-5 south traffic can access the onramp to Highway 99E/U.S. 26.
During the closure Hamilton Construction will complete the concrete pour, remove scaffolding, demobilize from the east pit on the lift span, and move jacking systems to the west leaf. In August, work shifts to the west leaf of the lift span. A bridge closure will be needed in September when concrete is poured for the west leaf deck.
During the July closure the contractor will also balance the east leaf, since the new deck is much heavier than the old deck made of fiber reinforced polymer. A number of components are being upgraded to accommodate the heavier deck.
Source: Multnomah County