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Construction Planning
Construction of the five-mile CRC project will occur in segments. The
first section to be built will be the Columbia River Bridge, its touchdowns
to land, and the light rail
transit extension. Once the bridge and transit construction is underway,
work will begin on the interchanges and other improvements. The sequence of
construction will ensure that I-5 remains open for travel. As sections are
complete, they will provide safety and mobility benefits to the traveling
public.
Construction of all project elements will be closely coordinated, and
will be managed through
multiple contracts. The sequence of the work is shown in
the graphic below. More information on construction methods can be found in
section 2.3 of the Final Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS).
Click on the above maps to see full sized PDF.
This schedule assumes that
project funds
are available when needed. If funding is available in phases,
then the construction of the project could be phased and the
schedule would be adjusted if needed. In either case, the first
elements to built will be the bridge and touchdowns, and light
rail.
Weekday I-5 traffic and access to be maintained
We will work to minimize effects but some construction activities will disrupt traffic. For I-5, it is
anticipated that three southbound and three northbound lanes will be
maintained during all weekdays, except when the final changeover occurs
between the old bridges and the new bridges. When temporary lane closures
are needed for construction and safety, they will typically occur at night
and on weekends. It is expected that all of the current access at each
interchange will remain open during construction, with the exception of
those movements that will be permanently changed.
Typical construction methods will require shifting I-5
traffic onto temporary alignments, narrowing lanes and shoulders
to accommodate equipment and workers, shortening merge and exit
distances, reducing posted speed limits, and closing or
detouring some traffic movements. All traffic changes or
temporary lane/ramp closures will be publicized in advance.
More information on road closures and detours can be found under temporary effects in
Chapter 3.1 of the Final EIS.
CRC will work to minimize construction impacts
Construction-related noise, dust and traffic disruptions will be avoided
and minimized whenever possible, per specific actions identified in project
construction plans. The project and its contractors will work proactively
with those potentially impacted by construction activities, listen to
neighbors' concerns and make reasonable adjustments to minimize
construction-related disruptions.
CRC will provide regular, timely updates on construction
activities. Information about construction activities will be
available online, by telephone, through mailings and public
meetings.
Construction contractors who are interested in CRC’s process and
schedule for contracting opportunities can
learn
more here.
Construction phasing
In response to a request by Governor Kitzhaber and Oregon legislators,
CRC provided
information about how the Oregon section of the project could be built
in phases, to meet the current economic conditions with a conservative
funding approach and a smaller first phase footprint. Under the scenario
presented, some non-highway improvements in Oregon would be postponed to
future phases. All phasing options would include building the replacement
bridges and extending light rail transit to Vancouver. The state of
Washington may also consider phasing some improvements. Final decisions are
dependant of funding decisions made by the Oregon and Washington
legislatures.
Related Links
Project Schedule
Construction Contracting page