The Great Traffic Apocalypse

As we close out the month of June and look forward to a sunny Fourth of July, I’ve got some not so great news.

The Great Traffic Apocalypse will begin on July 8th!

As if traffic wasn't bad enough.

Starting July 8th and running through August there will be major roadwork on I-5 and I-84. The most disruptive project will require “around the clock” closures of three of the bridges connecting Interstate 5 and Interstate 84.

One bridge will close at a time, and the bridge connecting I-5 northbound to I-84 eastbound won’t be closed during the day. But the closures will last for two weeks or more.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is predicting heavy delays.They actually suggest that if you can, you should take this time off for vacation during the construction period.

Since taking a 6 week vacation isn’t an option for most of us. We will have to deal with it.

We won't really know the effect on traffic until it happens but it's a good guess, given the current state of rush hour traffic, that it’s going to suck!

We are going to implement the following in order to help insure that your orders get done on time and on schedule.

• We are hiring additional drivers.
  
• We will send frequent emails letting you know if your order is going to be delayed due to construction traffic.
  

If you could allow for additional time for orders coming in and out of those areas that would be greatly appreciated.

We will let you know as the date of the Apocalypse gets closer. In the meantime, you can read more about it here.

Below is from ODOT’s website. It lays out the schedule and at the bottom is their suggestions on what travellers can do to avoid being affected by the delays.

 
https://www.oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages/project-details.aspx?project=17516
 
Schedule

• Summer 2018 through fall 2019 - Construction phase
  

* Dates are subject to change due to weather and site conditions.
Night time work begins in June 2018 and will continue until fall 2019. Expect night time lane closures for paving work on I-5, including paving exit and entrance ramps, replacing the median barrier, upgrading sidewalks, improve signage and upgrade ADA ramps.
The following full closures of I-5 are scheduled to occur in July and August over four full weekends.
Southbound I-5 will be fully closed between the Fremont and Marquam Bridges on the following two weekends:

• 10 p.m. Friday, July 13 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 16
  
• 10 p.m. Friday, July 20 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 23
  

Northbound I-5 will be fully closed between the Marquam and Fremont Bridges on the following two weekends:

• 10 p.m. Friday, July 27 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 30
  
• 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6
  

Other projects in the area of I-5 at I-84 started in June and will require around-the-clock two week closure of three of the bridges that connect I-84 and I-5 in July and August 2018.
 
What Travelers Can Do

• Telecommute
  
• Adjust work schedule to avoid peak period of travel
  
• Avoid the area
  
• Take transit
  
• Ride a bike
  
• Take a vacation
  

 
 
 

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