Photo: ODOT
Data from the start of the closure of southbound Interstate 5 through the Rose Quarter shows some trips took twice as long as usual during peak hours prompting drivers to find new ways to deal with this temporary normal.
Since the closure began on Sept. 11, travel times on I-5 southbound, I-405 southbound, I-205 southbound and I-84 westbound have all increased throughout the day. During afternoon peak hour, the average travel time between the Columbia River and the I-405 junction increased from about 9 minutes last year to 22 minutes on average during the closure, according to data collected by the ODOT.
Crews are working around the clock, seven days a week, on I-5 southbound between the Moda Center and the City Center/OMSI exit to repair and reinforce weak areas, replace bridge joints, repave the surface, make safety improvements and repaint lane lines on the highway.
Before the closure, ODOT predicted travel times could increase by as much as three times and back-ups could stretch to Vancouver if travelers did not change their routines. So far, traffic backups have not reached much further beyond north of Columbia Boulevard.
“We are seeing many travelers start earlier or stay later, stretching out the morning and evening commutes to navigate this disruption,” said Monica Blanchard, Rose Quarter Project Director. "We appreciate everyone who is working from home, leaving earlier or later, or taking public transit or biking to help reduce the impact of this closure."
Peak travel times on I-5 south have started as early as 5 a.m., compared to 6:30 a.m. in September 2025, and heavy traffic lasts until after 7:30 in the evening compared to about 6 p.m. last year.
Drivers are choosing parallel or alternate routes, including I-205 south and I-84 west, North Interstate Avenue in the southbound direction, and Northeast Martin Luther King Boulevard in the southbound direction. There have been limited reports of significant cut-through traffic on neighborhood greenways or safe routes to school.
ODOT and the Portland Bureau of Transportation are monitoring traffic on the interstates and local roads and have taken steps to keep traffic moving safely. This includes the use of tow trucks staged that have allowed incidents to be cleared quickly. To date, the tows cleared 13 incidents with an average response time of 10-15 minutes. This quick response has helped keep traffic on I-5 flowing during this period of significant congestion.
PBOT engineers are regularly monitoring the city's network of traffic monitoring cameras and are remotely adjusting the timing of traffic signals to try and help keep traffic flowing smoothly. For example, PBOT recently adjusted signal timing at Northeast Everett Street and Northeast Grand Avenue to make it easier for freight vehicles to access I-84 eastbound. PBOT also removed parking spots along Northeast Everett to allow tractor trailers to turn more efficiently and safely.
Plan ahead, consider travel options
ODOT and the City of Portland continue to remind drivers to Shift Your Trip. Plan ahead, expect delays and consider other travel options such as the bus or MAX light rail to get around. The more people adjust their habits during this closure, the better it will be for people who do not have flexibility to adjust their trip, including emergency responders and freight.
TriMet continues to provide reliable travel options during construction, with MAX trains departing every 15 minutes throughout most of the day. TriMet experienced an uptick in ridership during the first week, particularly on the MAX Yellow Line, operating between Expo Center and Downtown Portland. From Sept. 13-19, riders took more than 18,000 additional trips on the Yellow Line. Even with the increased ridership, trains are not completely full, and there are plenty of parking spaces still available at TriMet’s various Park & Ride facilities. Those who would like to plan their trip in advance are encouraged to visit trimet.org.
Source: ODOT