I-84 Ramp Closure and Neighborhood Maintenance to Impact Thursday Morning Commute

Morning Commute Overview

Commuters in the Portland metro area should prepare for a mix of ramp closures and neighborhood road maintenance this Thursday, February 26, 2026. While the major interstate corridors are largely free of significant crashes this morning, specific localized projects will require detours and may result in moderate delays during the peak travel window.

Major Arteries and Ramp Closures

The most significant impact for drivers this morning is the scheduled closure of the Interstate 84 eastbound Exit 2 off-ramp. This ramp, which provides access to Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard, is effective today, February 26, and is expected to remain closed from 5:00 AM through 11:59 AM. Travelers who normally use this exit should plan to utilize Exit 1 (33rd Avenue) or Exit 3 (47th Avenue) as alternatives. This work is part of a series of targeted maintenance projects scheduled by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the final week of February.

Additionally, those traveling late this evening should be aware of continued nighttime restrictions. Starting at 10:00 PM tonight, the I-205 northbound Exit 9 off-ramp to OR 99E will be closed for bridge and interchange improvements. Lane closures are also expected on OR 99E in both directions during this time. On Interstate 5, overnight lane closures continue near the Rose Quarter and between the Oregon Convention Center and the Burnside Bridge for the ongoing seismic retrofit and stormwater facility projects. Drivers can expect these lanes to reopen by 5:00 AM Friday morning.

Local Street and Neighborhood Impacts

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is entering the final stages of its February gravel street maintenance cycle. Residents in the Brentwood-Darlington, Mt. Tabor, Cully, and Montavilla neighborhoods can expect to see crews performing service work between 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Traffic flaggers will be present, and commuters should anticipate delays of up to 20 minutes in these residential zones. In East Multnomah County, Lusted Road remains closed east of Altman Road during daylight work hours as part of the ongoing filtration project; only eastbound traffic is permitted after work hours conclude.

Public Transit Updates

TriMet passengers are reminded that several bus lines are now operating under adjusted schedules that took effect earlier this week. Lines 8-Jackson Park/NE 15th, 48-Cornell, 75-Cesar Chavez/Lombard, and 76-Hall/Greenburg have seen frequency reductions during early morning and late evening hours. While the MAX Light Rail system is currently reporting on-time performance across all lines, riders are encouraged to check for real-time service alerts as the day progresses, especially given the ongoing construction activities near the I-5 and I-84 convergence.

Weather and Road Conditions

With temperatures starting near 36 degrees this morning and reaching a high of 52 degrees, road surfaces are expected to remain dry. However, the cool morning may lead to localized frost on bridges and overpasses. Visibility is currently good under partly cloudy skies, providing a clear window for the morning drive.