I-5 to close for five weeks in Portland area, Oregon DOT warns
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is warning drivers to expect long delays during an upcoming extended interstate closure.
Starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, southbound I-5 will close in the Rose Quarter in Portland to allow crews to make repairs.
The closure is expected to last five weeks, until mid-October 2026.
“I know this will be difficult for a lot of people,” ODOT Interim Director Chris Warner said. “You have my commitment that we will reopen I-5 as soon as we can.”
See below for additional travel impact information from ODOT:
- I-5 southbound on-ramps from Alberta, Greeley and I-405 northbound/Fremont Bridge will be closed
- All I-5 southbound travel will be detoured to I-405 southbound. Regional traffic will be directed to I-205
- One lane of I-5 southbound will remain open to the Broadway exit by the Moda Center.
- I-84 westbound to I-5 southbound will remain open
- I-5 northbound will remain open
ODOT warns that travel times in the area may be 2 to 3 times longer than usual, and drivers may experience traffic jams across the Columbia River into Washington and onto local streets in Portland.
“We expect significant delays and unpredictable travel times for I-5 and I-405 – as well as many parallel and alternate routes in the city,” ODOT Project Delivery Manager David Kim said. “Even if you don’t usually use I-5 southbound, your travel times will be affected with travelers seeking different routes.”
ODOT says that the portion of I-5 that will be closed has not undergone major repairs since 1985.
“We will be working 24/7 in three shifts so that we take advantage of every minute the interstate is closed and can reopen it as quickly as possible,” said Kenn Hallquist, Construction Project Manager with Hamilton-Sundt Joint Venture.