The St. Johns Bridge in Portland will be closed to all traffic for five nights beginning March 9, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. The closures will occur each night from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., starting Monday and ending early Saturday, March 14.
During these hours, vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists will not be able to use the bridge while crews conduct biennial inspections and maintenance work.
Detour routes have been established for both sides of the bridge. On the east side in St. Johns, drivers are advised to take U.S. 30 Bypass (North Lombard Street) eastbound to southbound Interstate 5, then continue on Interstate 405 south over the Fremont Bridge to westbound U.S. 30. On the west side in Northwest Portland, motorists should travel eastbound on U.S. 30 to northbound I-405 over the Fremont Bridge and then proceed on northbound I-5 to North Lombard Street.
Emergency vehicles will be permitted access across the bridge during closure times. In addition, “the last two scheduled TriMet buses will be allowed to cross each night,” according to officials.
The temporary closures are part of routine safety measures that take place every two years.
