Official City Notice: St. Johns Bridge Closures and Public Health Updates

Notice of Evening Bridge Inspections and Lane Restrictions

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have issued several critical traffic alerts effective Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Most notably, the St. Johns Bridge is scheduled for nightly structural inspections. Starting tonight and continuing through the morning of Saturday, February 21, the bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Commuters are advised to utilize the Fremont or Glenn L. Jackson bridges as alternate routes during these maintenance windows.

In addition to the bridge work, motorists in the metro area should prepare for the following regional impacts:

• OR 43 Southbound: The off-ramp to I-205 Northbound in West Linn will be closed tonight between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM for ongoing ramp improvements.
• Interstate 5 Northbound: Periodic overnight lane closures are in effect near the Rose Quarter for striping and barrier work. Drivers should expect minor delays between the Burnside Bridge and the I-84 junction.
• SE 82nd Avenue (OR 213): Nighttime single-lane closures are scheduled between SE Foster Road and SE Lindy Street from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM for paving and pedestrian safety enhancements.

Public Health Watch: Seasonal Flu and Measles Awareness

Multnomah County Health Department has released its surveillance update for mid-February. Data indicates that influenza activity remains elevated, with laboratory specimen positivity rates recorded at approximately 29.8% for the region. Health officials continue to recommend the seasonal flu vaccine for all eligible residents to reduce the risk of hospitalization.

Furthermore, an advisory remains active regarding measles cases recently identified in Oregon and Southwest Washington. While no confirmed cases have been reported within Multnomah County as of February 17, residents are urged to verify their immunization records. This notice is especially urgent as the state-mandated "School Exclusion Day" falls on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Students who are not current on their required vaccinations will be unable to attend school or childcare facilities after that date.

Upcoming Public Meetings and Civic Engagements

Several local governing bodies are convening today to address regional infrastructure and community funding:

• Metro Council Work Session: A session is scheduled from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Metro Regional Center. The agenda focuses on long-range environmental protection and the 50-year visionary outlook for the region.
• Portland Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC): The committee will meet tonight from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM to discuss local transportation funding and the latest Safe Routes to School newsletter updates.

Residents may participate in these meetings via hybrid digital platforms or in person at the respective municipal offices. For non-emergency city services or to report local infrastructure issues, the 311 Information line remains the primary point of contact.