The Morrison Bridge will reopen to traffic no later than 6 a.m. on Sunday, October 22 as the replacement of the lift span deck nears completion.
Starting October 22, westbound traffic will again be able to access downtown from SE Morrison St. and SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Access from the central eastside has been cut off since spring due to construction. The right westbound lane of the east approach ramp will become a right turn only lane to Interstate 5 north.
The bridge traffic alignment starting October 22 will include two westbound lanes, one eastbound lane, and open sidewalks on both sides of the bridge (including the multi-use path on the south side). All ramps will be open, except the ramp from southbound SW Naito Parkway to eastbound Morrison Bridge which remains closed until October 28. All six traffic lanes will reopen by October 30.
Effective October 22, the vehicle weight limit will be restored to a maximum of 40 tons, allowing TriMet’s 15-Belmont/NW 23rd bus route to resume service over the bridge for the first time in several years. The vehicle weight limit was reduced to 10 tons due to the deteriorated lift span deck that was replaced this year.
The vehicle speed limit on the bridge will increase from 25 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour in November, when construction is completed.
General contractor Hamilton Construction will demobilize equipment from the bridge during the week of October 23, which will require several lanes to be closed. Weather permitting, the contractor will close the bridge to all traffic on Friday, October 27 at 9 p.m. to apply a top overlay to the lift span deck. The bridge will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, October 30. The epoxy overlay resembles asphalt and provides a better riding surface with good traction. In the event of rain, this work will be postponed until a later date.
After the Morrison Bridge returns to service, repair work will shift north to the Burnside Bridge. Hamilton Construction tentatively plans to close the bridge the weekend of November 17-19 to set up traffic control for a two-year project that will repair damaged concrete on the bridge deck, sidewalks and railings. Two of five lanes will be closed during the work and bikes and pedestrians will share a path on each side of the bridge.