Roadwork set to breathe new life into aging stretch of I-5

By Stover E Harger III

The Times, Jun 25, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

FACELIFT – Interstate 5 will soon see major improvements as part of a year-long $23 million ODOT project. This portion of the freeway, where I-5 intersects with I-205, will see brand new paving on the bridges as well as the addition of an auxiliary lane stretching southbound to the North Wilsonville off-ramp.

Jaime Valdez / The Times

A portion of Interstate 5 is about to undergo a much-needed makeover.

The Oregon Department of Transportation kicked off its $23 million Interstate 5 Preservation Project this month — a partially federal-stimulus-funded undertaking that will make extensive improvements to the highway’s pavement, off- and on-ramps, signage, as well as add a few new lanes.

“It’s due for some repairs and improvements,” said Christine Miles, ODOT spokeswoman.

Work will stretch along seven miles of I-5, from the Tualatin River to the Willamette River in Wilsonville. As construction begins to pick up pace in July, commuters will notice some nighttime congestion and delays on I-5 and its intersecting streets. During construction hours, highway on- and off-ramps may also be temporarily closed in construction zones.

Because work is mainly taking place after sundown, daytime drivers will not have to contend with closed lanes. In general, ODOT officials say, work hours will be Monday through Friday, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“Luckily most of this work is going to be at night,” Miles said. “For most of us that have to travel that way, that’s going to make it easier, but we still need people to slow down and be careful.”

Currently road crews are focusing on the Wilsonville area first as they work on the southbound side of the freeway near the North Wilsonville interchange.

Kodiak Pacific Construction of Sherwood will handle the roadwork, and the entire project is expected to be completed by November 2010. Most of the construction will be suspended in the winter months.

There will be some audible nighttime noise for those residents living along the highway, according to ODOT, but the agency said it will inform locals who will be near construction about any noise-generating activities. If you have any questions or concerns about noise, you may call ODOT at 503-412-2330.

New sound wall in Tualatin

In addition to repaving, restriping and lane widening, a brand new sound wall will be installed in Tualatin starting in late September. This is expected to handle noise from the soon-to-be constructed auxiliary lanes and should diminish sound coming from the highway by 5 decibels or more for 61 homes along a portion of the highway.

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