Monday Morning Traffic: I-205 and OR 217 Work Continues Amid MAX Red Line Delays

Monday Morning Traffic: I-205 and OR 217 Work Continues Amid MAX Red Line Delays

Portland commuters are facing a mix of planned construction and unexpected transit delays this Monday, February 23, 2026. While the morning rush is moving steadily on most major interstates, specific bottlenecks and signal failures are impacting travel times across the metro area. Local residents and through-traffic drivers should prepare for both daytime surface street flagging and significant overnight closures beginning tonight.

Highway & Roadway Updates

Major infrastructure projects are entering key phases this week, with several corridors experiencing active work zones and intermittent closures:

• I-205 Abernethy Bridge: Crews are continuing intensive seismic upgrades on the bridge. Commuters in the Oregon City and West Linn areas should expect significant activity. Daytime flagging is in effect on Main Street in Oregon City from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., which may cause local surface street backups. For nighttime drivers, be advised that the northbound off-ramp to OR 99E (Exit 9) will close starting at 10:00 p.m. tonight through 5:00 a.m.
• OR 217 Auxiliary Lanes: Although the primary lane expansion is complete, "final touch" construction remains active. Expect intermittent shoulder and single-lane closures throughout the day between Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and OR 99W. Tonight, southbound OR 217 will see single-lane closures beginning at 9:00 p.m. for landscaping and cleanup work.
• I-5 Rose Quarter: Ongoing median work and seismic retrofitting between the Oregon Convention Center and the Burnside Bridge are primarily restricted to overnight hours. However, lane shifts and new signage structures are in place; drivers should remain alert for narrow lanes near the I-84 interchange.
• U.S. 30 (Historic Columbia River Highway): A reminder for those heading east: the section between Multnomah Falls and the Oneonta Trailhead remains closed to all users for viaduct repairs. I-84 remains the primary alternate route for reaching the Falls.

Public Transport Alerts

TriMet is reporting multiple issues on the MAX light rail system today, specifically impacting the east side and airport connections. Commuters should plan for an additional 15 to 30 minutes of travel time.

• MAX Red Line: A signal failure near Portland International Airport is causing delays for all airport-bound trains. Additionally, a mechanical issue near Goose Hollow and SW Jefferson Street has further slowed service, with some trains seeing 30-minute gaps in frequency this morning.
• MAX Blue & Green Lines: While earlier debris near the Lloyd Center has been cleared, these lines are still experiencing residual delays of up to 15 minutes as the system recovers.

Commuter Tips

With daytime flagging on Main Street in Oregon City, travelers are encouraged to use OR 213 or the main I-205 travel lanes as alternatives to avoid local congestion. For those heading to PDX, the current Red Line signal issues make ride-sharing or the 87-Gateway/Airport bus more reliable options until the signal is repaired. Always yield to maintenance crews in active work zones and follow posted speed reductions on OR 217.