Icy Patches and Major I-5 Restrictions Lead Wednesday Commute Updates

Morning Weather Alert: Caution on Overpasses

Commuters heading out this Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026, should prepare for potentially slick conditions. Local weather reports indicate that icy spots are possible across the Portland metro area following overnight temperature drops. While major arterials are mostly clear, elevated surfaces, bridges, and neighborhood side streets may remain hazardous through the mid-morning hours. Drivers are encouraged to allow extra following distance and reduce speeds, especially when crossing the Willamette River bridges.

Interstate 5: Rose Quarter and South Portland Constraints

Major construction remains the primary headline for those using the I-5 corridor. In North Portland, the Rose Quarter Improvement Project continues its seismic retrofitting and lane reconfiguration. Commuters should be aware of the following:

• Rose Quarter: Overnight lane closures on the left lanes of both Northbound and Southbound I-5 between the Oregon Convention Center and the Burnside Bridge are expected to wrap up by the morning rush, but lane shifts remain in place.
• South Portland: Work continues on the installation of RealTime Variable Advisory Speed (VAS) signs between the Ross Island Bridge and Terwilliger Boulevard. While most work is nocturnal, shoulder closures may persist, causing minor rubbernecking delays during the morning peak.
• Width Restrictions: Significant nightly width restrictions are in effect for freight and oversized vehicles. Southbound I-5 near the I-405 interchange is restricted to 14 feet until 5:00 AM daily through early March.

I-205 and US 26 Construction Updates

On the east side, the I-205 Improvements Project at the Abernethy Bridge is entering a critical phase of Phase 1A construction. Drivers traveling between Oregon City and West Linn should watch for intermittent ramp closures. Specifically, the Southbound Exit 8 off-ramp to OR 43 is subject to nightly closures, which may impact early morning travelers before 5:00 AM.

For those commuting from the west, US 26 (Sunset Highway) is seeing active maintenance work between mileposts 5.8 and 9.9. Travelers can expect weekday lane closures and traffic shifts between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, which often lead to congestion during the tail end of the morning commute and throughout the afternoon.

TriMet Alerts and Future Service Changes

TriMet reports mostly standard service this morning, though riders on Line 72 (Killingsworth/82nd) and Line 77 (Broadway/Halsey) should check the latest arrivals due to localized traffic delays. More importantly, TriMet is currently seeking public feedback on proposed service reductions for late 2026 and 2027. Commuters are encouraged to attend upcoming district open houses to discuss how these changes might affect their daily routes. Additionally, looking ahead to March, early notices have been posted for the Shamrock Run on March 15, which will involve significant closures of Naito Parkway and several I-405 off-ramps.