The closure of the southbound lanes of I-5 through the Rose Quarter have caused travel times to more than double and traffic to significantly increase on streets in North and Northeast Portland, according to information released by ODOT on Sept. 24.
The lane closures began on Sept. 11 and will last until mid-October as crews repair the road surface as part of the long-planned Rose Quarter Improvement Project.
As a result of the closure, travel times on I-5 southbound, I-405 southbound, I-205 southbound and I-84 westbound have all increased throughout the day. During the 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, the release said.
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,” she said.
Peak travel times on I-5 south have started as early as 5 am, compared to 6:30 am in September 2025, and heavy traffic lasts until after 7:30 in the evening compared to about 6 pm last year.
According to the release, 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.
Here are some of the neighborhood impacts:
- North Interstate Avenue in the southbound direction saw a 34% increase in travelers, with about 10,000 vehicles per day passing the intersection at North Graham Street, compared with 7,500 vehicles per day before the closure. Traffic speeds along the corridor have also declined during daylight hours, resulting in longer travel times.
- Northeast Martin Luther King Boulevard in the southbound direction saw a 34% increase in travelers, with about 29,000 vehicles per day passing by the intersection at Northeast Everett Street, compared with 22,000 vehicles per day before the closure.
- North Vancouver Avenue in the southbound direction saw a 54% increase in travelers, with about 8,000 vehicles per day passing by the intersection at North Mason Street, compared with 5,500 vehicles per day before the closure.
- The Steel Bridge in the westbound direction saw a 67% increase in travelers, with about 7,500 vehicles per day compared with 4,500 vehicles per day before the closure.
- Southwest Naito Parkway in the southbound direction saw a 35% increase in travelers, with about 8,500 vehicles per day passing by the intersection at Southwest Oak Street, compared with 6,000 vehicles per day before the closure.
- Data collected on neighborhood streets like Northeast 7th Avenue, Northeast Rodney Avenue, North Michigan Avenue, and North Flint Avenue show traffic volumes similar to weekdays before the closure.
More information is available on the project website at i5rosequarter.org/current-construction-travel-impacts.