Daytime vehicle closures are scheduled for the Steel Bridge in Portland from August 18 to 22 to allow for regular inspections. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) stated that while vehicle traffic will be restricted in each direction during this period, pedestrian, cyclist, and train access will remain available. TriMet plans to adjust bus routes daily according to the closure schedule.
“We will not close both northbound and southbound OR 99W at the same time during the inspection work. The bridge will remain open to pedestrian, train and cyclist users, and TriMet will adjust bus routes for each day’s closure,” ODOT said in a statement.
Motorists using OR 99W are advised to allow extra travel time or seek alternative routes during the inspection week. Up-to-date information on road conditions is available at TripCheck.com.
For detours, when northbound OR 99W is closed, drivers should use the Broadway Bridge to cross from Portland’s west side to east side. When southbound lanes are closed, vehicles should use the Burnside Bridge for crossing from east to west.
ODOT conducts mandatory bridge inspections every two years and also after incidents such as crashes or natural events that could damage structures. The Steel Bridge is scheduled for its routine check this summer.
Due to ongoing financial constraints, ODOT reports delays or cancellations of some maintenance activities across the state. “ODOT is experiencing a significant and immediate funding shortfall that is resulting in staff layoffs and reduced capacity across the agency. Without new revenue or flexibility in spending, ODOT is forced to make deep cuts and lay off hundreds of people to stay within its budget,” according to ODOT.
The department emphasized that essential maintenance like these inspections will continue but may be affected by reduced staffing and resources: “Some critical maintenance and preservation activities, like this one, will continue to ensure the safety of the transportation system. These efforts may still be delayed, take longer to complete, or be limited in scope due to reduced staffing and resources. We will continue to do everything possible to prioritize safety and minimize disruptions, but we ask for your understanding and patience as we work through these unprecedented constraints.”
