Impacts and Detours

Work being done on the I-5 NB off-ramp at Exit 278

Let's take a look at what work is being done and the estimated schedule. Construction will happen in multiple steps, we'll:

Widen I-5.
Remove the existing I-5 bridges.
Build the new I-5 bridge.

We'll build in three sections to lessen I-5 impacts.

Rebuild the interchange ramps.
Create the Ehlen Road NE diverging diamond lanes.

Learn more about how we'll build the new diverging diamond interchange and impacts by exploring below.

Schedule

Schedule Graphic showing work being done

Staging and Impacts

We widened the shoulders of I-5 and paved in between the north and southbound lanes. This allows us to shift traffic during different steps in construction to keep three lanes of traffic on I-5 in each direction during the day.

We're also removing sections of the existing bridges in the center of the median to make room to build the first section of the bridge. This will require a weekend full closure of Ehlen Road NE.

We're building the new I-5 bridge in three sections: northbound lanes, southbound lanes and center. We'll start by building the center section of the bridge.

After the center is built, we'll shift northbound traffic onto the new bridge. Once traffic is shifted, we'll remove the existing northbound I-5 bridge. This will require a weekend full closure of Ehlen Road NE.

Next, we'll construct the northbound section of the new bridge.

After that section is built, we'll shift both north and southbound traffic onto the new bridge. Once traffic is shifted, we'll remove the existing southbound I-5 bridge. This will require a weekend full closure of Ehlen Road NE.

Next, we'll construct the southbound section of the new bridge. After that section is built, we'll shift traffic back to the permanent north and southbound lanes on the new bridge.

After the new I-5 bridge is fully constructed, most construction activity will move to Ehlen Road NE as we build the diverging diamond lanes.

Ehlen Road NE Impacts

We will widen Ehlen Road NE from two lanes into multiple lanes for the diverging diamond layout.

During construction, you can expect:

Lane closures.
Full road closures with detours.
Flagging for the I-5 closures with traffic rerouted.
No pedestrian access when the road is fully closed.

When Ehlen Road NE is closed:

Cars can detour around the closure by using:

Bents Road NE → Arndt Road NE → OR 551.

Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by using Exit 271 in Woodburn or Exit 282 near Wilsonville.

We estimate needing to fully close Ehlen Road NE about eight times during construction. The closures are expected to happen over the weekend.

Other Impacts

To limit impacts to those traveling on I-5 and make it safer for our workers, we're using traffic shifts to create a separated work zone. Traffic shifts move traffic to a different lane, to create more space for our crews to work safely.

Cars can detour around the closure by using:

Exit 271 → OR 214 → OR 99E → OR 551 → Ehlen Road NE.

Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by continuing north on I-5, taking Exit 282 to turn around to get on southbound I-5, to use southbound Exit 278 and get to Ehlen Road NE.

We estimate needing to close this off-ramp once during construction. The closure is expected to be for about seven days.

Northbound Exit 278 closure detour route

Cars can detour around the closure by using:
Ehlen Road NE → OR 551 → I-5 on-ramp heading towards Wilsonville.

Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by using the southbound on-ramp at the Aurora-Donald interchange, taking Exit 271 in Woodburn to get on northbound I-5.

We estimate needing to close the on-ramp twice during construction. The first time the closure is expected to be for about seven days. The second time the closure is expected to be for about 14 days.

Cars can detour around the closure by using:
Exit 282A → OR 551 → Ehlen Road NE.

Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by taking Exit 271 to turn around to get on northbound I-5, to use the northbound Exit 278 and get to Ehlen Road NE.

We estimate needing to close the on-ramp twice during construction. The first time the closure is expected to be for about seven days. The second time the closure is expected to be for about 14 days.

Cars can detour around the closure by using:
Ehlen Road NE → OR 551 → OR 99E → OR 214 → I-5 on-ramp in Woodburn.

Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by continuing north on I-5 and taking Exit 282 to turn around and get on southbound I-5.

We estimate needing to close the on-ramp twice during construction. Both closures are expected to be for about seven days.

Cars can detour around the closure by using:
Bents Road NE → Arndt Road NE → OR 551.

Semi-trucks can detour around the closure by using Exit 271 in Woodburn or Exit 282 near Wilsonville.

We estimate needing to fully close Ehlen Road NE about eight times during construction. The closures are expected to happen over the weekend.

To shift traffic onto the new sections of the bridge, we'll close I-5 up to six times at night for about four hours. During these I-5 closures, traffic will use the Exit 278 off and on-ramps.

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Impacts and Detours

Staging and Impacts

Widen I-5

Build the center section of the new bridge

Build the northbound section of the new bridge

Build the southbound section of the new bridge

Build the Diverging diamond lanes

Other Impacts

Traffic Shifts

Northbound I-5 Exit 278 Closure

Northbound I-5 On-Ramp Closure

Southbound I-5 Exit 278 Closure

Southbound I-5 On-Ramp Closure

Ehlen Road NE Closure Detours

I-5 Closure On and Off-Ramp