Free TriMet Rides Today and Significant I-5 Width Restrictions: Portland Commute Update

Transit Equity Day: Free Rides on TriMet

Commuters across the Portland metropolitan area can leave their Hop cards at home today, Wednesday, February 4, 2026. In honor of Rosa Parks Transit Equity Day, TriMet is offering free rides on all buses, MAX light rail trains, and C-TRAN services throughout the day. This annual event commemorates the legacy of the civil rights icon and is intended to encourage the use of public transit while highlighting efforts to ensure equitable access to transportation for all residents.

Major Highway Alerts and Restrictions

While the morning rush is expected to move relatively smoothly, several long-term construction projects are impacting major arteries, particularly for freight and wide-load vehicles:

• Interstate 5 Southbound: Nightly width restrictions remain in place between Mileposts 302.7 and 301.5 near the I-405 north interchange. From 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, the roadway is restricted to 14 feet. These restrictions are part of ongoing infrastructure preservation and are scheduled to continue through early March.
• Interstate 5 Northbound: Similar nightly width restrictions of 14 feet are active between Mileposts 301.59 and 301.96. Commuters should prepare for intermittent single-lane closures during late-night hours.
• Interstate 205 (Abernethy Bridge): Northbound travel across the Abernethy Bridge is currently restricted to 18 feet in width nightly as crews continue seismic upgrades. Expect nighttime ramp closures from I-205 southbound to OR-99E between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
• US-26 (Powell Boulevard): Continuous width restrictions of 10 feet are in effect between Mileposts 7.9 and 9.96. Motorists should anticipate lane shifts and temporary sidewalk closures during daytime hours.

Local Roadworks and Safety Campaigns

In Southeast Portland, paving and safety improvements continue on 82nd Avenue (OR-213) between SE Foster Road and SE Thompson Road. Drivers should expect single-lane closures and flaggers in the area, which may cause minor delays during the mid-day period. On US-30 (NW St. Helens Road), crews are currently working on signal replacements and repaving between NW Bridge Avenue and NW Kittridge Avenue, with delays estimated at under 20 minutes.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has also launched a statewide seat belt enforcement campaign this week. Through February 8, local law enforcement will have an increased presence on highways to ensure travelers are buckled up. Additionally, a stagnant air advisory from NOAA is in effect until Friday afternoon; commuters are encouraged to use public transit or carpool to help maintain air quality during this period of limited air movement.