Smooth Morning Commute This Presidents’ Day; Nightly Closures Begin on I-205

Presidents’ Day Commute: Smooth Morning Expected Before Major Night Closures

Today, Monday, February 16, 2026, commuters in the Portland metro area can expect a relatively light morning commute due to the Presidents’ Day holiday. With many schools and government offices closed, traffic volumes on major arteries like I-5 and I-84 are trending lower than typical Monday mornings. However, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) remind drivers that several significant construction projects remain active, with major closures scheduled to begin later tonight.

Interstate 205: Major Nightly Closures Begin

The most significant impact for commuters begins tonight. Starting Monday, February 16, the I-205 southbound Exit 8 off-ramp to OR 43 in West Linn will be closed intermittently on weeknights from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. This work is part of the ongoing seismic upgrades in the area and is expected to continue through early March. Additionally, motorists should prepare for a full nighttime closure of the Abernethy Bridge. Both northbound and southbound lanes on I-205 between Exit 9 and Exit 8 are scheduled to close tonight at 11:00 PM, reopening by 5:00 AM Tuesday morning. Detours will be in place via OR 99E and OR 43.

I-5 Rose Quarter and Local Street Roadworks

In the city center, Phase 1A of the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project continues to affect nighttime travel. Crews are currently focused on barrier placement and striping near the Oregon Convention Center. While daytime traffic remains mostly unaffected, expect intermittent lane closures on I-5 northbound between the Burnside Bridge and the I-84 interchange tonight starting at 10:00 PM. Locally, the following projects may cause minor delays:

• NE Halsey Street: Safety and transit access improvements between NE 80th and 92nd Avenues are ongoing. Expect sidewalk closures and occasional flagging as crews install new crossings and bike lanes.
• NE 122nd Avenue: Construction of new pedestrian crossings is active between NE Davis and SE Clinton streets.
• SW Fourth Avenue: Improvement projects near the city center continue to restrict some lane access for utility work and paving.

Public Transport and Regional Alerts

TriMet has confirmed that all buses and MAX trains are operating on regular weekday schedules today, despite the holiday. This provides consistent service for those still heading into the office, though riders should check for localized disruptions near the Rose Quarter construction zone. For those planning to travel toward the coast or the mountains, be aware of regional conditions:

• Coast: ORE 229 remains closed 10 miles north of Siletz due to a recent landslide; use alternate routes for coastal access.
• Columbia River Gorge: The Historic Columbia River Highway remains closed between Multnomah Falls and the Oneonta Trailhead until spring. Access to the falls is available via I-84 Exit 31.
• Cascades: A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for areas above 4,000 feet, with significant snow accumulations expected by Tuesday evening.

Safe travels and enjoy the lighter holiday traffic throughout the afternoon!