How to avoid hazards, safely boat through the bridge work zone

From ODOT-

I hope you are looking forward to summer as much as I am!

Many of you may be enjoying it on the water.  Here is some advice for safely boating or floating down the river and through the construction zone of the I-5 Willamette River Bridge project.

It might look like you can pass under the work bridge in any location. However, the combination of strong currents, pilings in the river and trapped or floating debris in the work zone creates tricky hazards.

If you enter the river upstream, east of the bridge, please keep to the right bank along the north side of the river to pass through the work zone at the designated safe place. Our crews maintain this channel to keep it clear of debris and snags for safe passage under the bridge. 

                                                                             

Look for signs on the work bridge and along the right bank channel to direct you. Boaters will also find informational signs at put-in areas upstream of the bridge.

A sign in the Willamette River (far left) directs a boater to the safe channel

A sign at the D Street boat ramp cautions boaters that they are entering a construction zone

And please, always wear a life jacket regardless of how experienced a boater or how strong a swimmer you are. River currents can be unpredictably strong and spring snowmelt makes for shockingly cold water, even on hot days.

We are committed to keeping river users safe in our project area, and with your help we can have another incident-free boating season.

Protecting the river and its users

From ODOT-

Our work bridge protects the Willamette River from construction debris. It also provides another vital service: it provides river users with a safe passage by protecting them from the construction activities above.



But there are other hazards people should know about. When the Willamette River rises during the rainy season, which is now upon us, it decreases clearance under the bridge for boaters. Natural debris, such as tree branches, creates another boating hazard when it becomes trapped against the work bridge.



Our contractor removes debris buildup as the river levels drop. They can lift some of it from the bridge deck, but most is removed by workers using a motorboat. Crews cut it loose from the bridge supports and allow it to float down the river. This woody debris naturally improves fish habitat when it lodges along the riverbanks downstream of our project or builds up elsewhere in the river.



Thanks to the skill of the workers who maneuver the boat under the work bridge to dislodge branches, the contractor is keeping the river passable so everyone can enjoy it safely.

Protecting the river and its users

From ODOT-

With warmer weather and sunshine ahead, we expect to see more of you boating or floating down the Willamette River and through the work zone.



As you enjoy the river, please remember that you are in an active construction zone when passing through our project and that means paying more attention to safe navigation.



If you enter the river east of Interstate 5 and float under the bridge construction project, signs in the river will direct you to the correct channel and where to cross under the work bridge. Keep to the north bank, or the right side of the river, to pass safely under the work bridge at the designated spot.



From the river, it might seem like you can pass under the work bridge in other locations. However, the combination of the strong current, construction pilings and trapped or floating debris in the river create additional hazards. Also, the old dam structure upstream of the bridge makes it hard to find your way to the correct channel, so move to the north bank early so you can maneuver under the safest part of the work bridge.



Please remember to watch for signs that point river users to the correct channel to safely pass under the bridge construction. It’s also a good idea to check with local boating organizations or the Oregon State Marine Board about changing conditions before heading out on the river for a day of fun.



Here are some photos that show you what to expect to see when you approach the I-5 Willamette River Bridge project.



Upstream of the I-5 bridge construction work, a sign at the old dam structure directs river traffic to the safe channel on the right.

These signs show boaters where to pass safely under the workbridge.