Expect Nightly I-5 Lane Closures and Daytime Holds on US-26 Powell This Friday

Friday Commute Overview

Commuters in the Portland metro area should prepare for a mix of construction-related delays and wet road conditions this Friday, January 30, 2026. With light rain expected throughout the day and temperatures peaking near 52°F, visibility may be reduced during the morning and evening peaks. While major arteries are currently seeing typical Friday volumes, several long-term infrastructure projects will impact travel times on I-5, I-205, and US-26.

Major Highway Alerts: I-5 and I-205

Significant activity continues on the I-5 corridor, particularly near the Rose Quarter. ODOT has confirmed that the fast lanes on both I-5 northbound and southbound between the Oregon Convention Center and the Burnside Bridge will face nightly closures from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. These closures are necessary for ongoing barrier work and seismic retrofitting. Additionally, southbound travelers should note width restrictions of 14 feet and height restrictions of 16 feet 2 inches near the I-405 interchange during these same overnight hours.

On I-205, work on the Abernethy Bridge remains a primary focus. Drivers using the bridge northbound tonight will encounter a width restriction of 12 feet starting at 10:00 PM. On the surface level, OR-99E will experience nighttime lane closures starting at 8:00 PM this evening, extending until 8:00 AM Saturday morning. In West Linn, a daytime lane closure on OR-43 northbound near the bridge is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, which may cause stacking onto the I-205 off-ramps.

Surface Street Advisories: US-26 Powell Blvd

The Outer Powell Transportation Safety Project is in full swing today. Commuters traveling on US-26 (SE Powell Boulevard) between SE 99th Avenue and the city limits should expect intermittent lane closures and traffic shifts. Most notably, flaggers may initiate traffic holds of up to 20 minutes between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Pedestrians should also look for detour signage near SE 122nd Avenue due to temporary sidewalk closures. Travelers are encouraged to use Division Street or Holgate Boulevard as alternate east-west routes to avoid these construction zones.

Public Transit and Alternate Modes

TriMet is operating on a standard weekday schedule, though riders on the MAX Green Line should be aware of ongoing discussions regarding future service realignments at the Gateway Transit Center. The "Bus on Shoulder" pilot on I-205 remains active; authorized SMART and TriMet buses may use the highway shoulders between Stafford Road and OR-43 if traffic speeds drop below 35 mph. Commuters are reminded to stay clear of these shoulders to allow transit vehicles and emergency responders through safely.

Safe Driving Reminders

• Watch for worker activity and reduced speed limits in the Rose Quarter and Abernethy Bridge work zones.
• Use headlights during daytime rain to increase visibility to other drivers.
• Plan for extra travel time on SE Powell Boulevard due to possible 20-minute holds.