Use extreme caution on Franklin Boulevard under Interstate 5

From ODOT-

We recently told you about the lane restrictions in place on Franklin Boulevard until February. Here are some pictures of this temporary configuration to help you anticipate this change and navigate it successfully.

Franklin Boulevard is restricted to one lane in each direction under Interstate 5. The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph through the construction zone.

Flaggers will slow traffic as work proceeds on either side of the road. In addition, expect up to 20-minute delays when crews install beams or falsework over the travel lanes. Please slow down, obey all warning signs and flagger directions.

A flagger directs westbound traffic during pile driving and falsework construction.

Westbound traffic returns to regular westbound lanes after passing under I-5.

Cars form one line westbound while a bicyclist attempts to travel westbound on Frankline Blvd. That's him in the red shirt, next to the organe safety barrels on the right side of the photo.

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.

Construction work takes a holiday Dec. 23 to Jan. 3

From ODOT-In the week before Christmas, our contractor crews have been wrapping up their in-water work to remove all traces of the old detour bridge columns before taking a well-deserved holiday break.


Construction work on the Willamette River Bridge project will stop the afternoon of Dec. 23, with crews returning to work in the New Year on Jan. 3.


During the holiday work break, the construction site is still an active work zone and safety remains our No. 1 priority. We will post a 24-hour security team at the construction site to keep it safe. Drivers and park users will still have to pay attention to construction signs, path detours and construction speed zone restrictions. There is bound to be more park use over the holiday week, so cyclists should watch their speed and keep a sharp lookout for other path users as well.


When work resumes in January, crews will focus on drilling large shafts deep into bedrock for the foundations that will support the new northbound bridge. They will start their work south of the railroad tracks, moving north as they go. Starting in mid-January, you may catch a glimpse of the big drills at work as you travel along Franklin Boulevard under the freeway.


Happy Holidays from the entire project team, the ODOT construction team in Springfield and our contractor crews from Hamilton Construction!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From ODOT-

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and as we prepare to spend this special time with family and friends, I’m also reminded about things I’m thankful for on the Interstate 5 Willamette River Bridge project.



I am thankful that we have such good partners on the CM/GC design and construction team. Led by OBEC Consulting Engineers and Hamilton Construction, they are building a high-quality project and are great partners to work with.



I’m thankful for our community members and their kind words of support for the progress we are making with limited disruptions.



I’m thankful for the many citizen volunteers who have devoted hundreds of hours of their time and passion to help make the new bridges a better fit for the community.



I’m thankful to the business leaders in Springfield and Eugene who work with our teams to minimize traffic disruptions.



And finally, I’m thankful that our crews will get to start their weekend early on Wednesday afternoon.



Construction work on the Willamette River Bridge project will stop temporarily for the Thanksgiving weekend by early Wednesday afternoon. Please remember that all work zone speed limits and signs remain in effect because the work site is still active.



Please drive safely, allow extra time for travel over the Thanksgiving weekend and have a happy holiday celebration!

I-5 off-ramp to Franklin Boulevard to close for two years

From ODOT-

Starting the week of Oct. 3, we will close the I-5 northbound off-ramp to Franklin Boulevard at exit 192 for up to two years to allow construction of the new northbound I-5 Willamette River Bridge.

The entrance ramp from eastbound Franklin Boulevard to southbound I 5 will remain open. Local access will also remain open at the intersection of Riverview Street and westbound Franklin Boulevard.

The detour route shown in the map below is the same one used during previous short-term closures of the Franklin Boulevard exit ramp. Those of you traveling northbound on I-5 to Franklin Boulevard will detour using exit 191 to Glenwood Boulevard. After exiting, turn right on Glenwood Boulevard to Franklin Boulevard. The detour route will be well-marked.

We have begun notifying the public and key stakeholder organizations such as freight companies, impacted businesses, schools and emergency service responders. We are also working closely with Lane County and the cities of Springfield and Eugene to ensure that they are prepared for this closure.

In addition, we received feedback from businesses on Franklin Boulevard during the three month closure last year. Based on that feedback we developed a more robust signage plan for the two-year closure.

The two-year closure will allow us to rebuild the off-ramp and raise it more than 5 feet to align with the future northbound bridge. By closing the exit, conflicts between construction crews and motorists are eliminated, not just reduced. Construction zone safety is a top priority of ODOT for these reasons:

•  During the past decade in Oregon, there has been an average of 475 work zone related crashes per year resulting in an average of 18 work zone serious injury crashes and 8 fatal crashes.


• Nationally, the numbers are even more staggering with an average of 740 work zone fatalities in the past three years.


• The majority of people injured or killed in work zone crashes are drivers, passengers or pedestrians.


• We also know road construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. The risk of death is seven times higher for road workers than for an average worker.

In addition to following this blog, you can find mobility updates on Twitter: @OregonDOT or on www.Tripcheck.com and www.keepusmoving.info.

We know that this is a significant and lengthy closure and truly appreciate your patience!

Cyclists: Please slow down and respect all path users

From ODOT-



Better weather means more people using the pedestrian and bicycle paths near the construction of the Willamette River Bridge.



It’s great to see so many of you enjoying the park and stopping to view the ongoing construction work. But as activity on the paths increases, there are more safety challenges for all.



The detour paths near the bridge work are designed for users to pass safely through the construction area with minimal slowdowns and construction conflicts.



We’ve observed some cyclists speeding in congested areas, which increases the risk of crashes and injuries. Please slow down and watch out for other path users to ensure everybody’s safety.



The detour routes are not the final path configurations and will change by the time the bridge project is complete. The detour paths near the north end of the Knickerbocker Bridge are one example. The final alignment for the park paths is shown on the construction kiosks located throughout the park.



We are pleased with the construction progress on the bridges and look forward to the final path improvements. In the meantime, cyclists, please slow down as you pass through the park, enjoy the ride and stay safe.



Watch our public service announcement addressing path safety around the project.

Floating Past the Bridge Project

From ODOT- I am out on the Willamette River Bridge construction project a great deal, especially on the work bridge. Every time I cross the work bridge, I can’t help but look up and down the river to see if boaters are floating by. Especially with warmer weather, it is not unusual to see people fishing or boating. Later in the spring and summer, others will just float the river on their inner tube to cool off on the hot days.

If you boat or float near the Willamette River Bridge, please remember that you are in a construction zone and passing through requires more attention to be safe.

If you enter the river east of the bridge and float under the bridge, signs in the river direct you to the correct channel and where to cross under the work bridge. Keeping to the right bank, or the north side of the river, is important to pass under the work bridge at the designated safe place. It might seem like you could pass under the work bridge in other locations. However, the combination of the current, pilings in the river, and trapped or floating debris in the river create additional hazards.

For many of you, the arrival of spring means the chance to enjoy the river. We have marked a safe passage under the work bridge. Please use it and stay safe.

Signs point river users to the correct channel to safely pass under the bridge construction.

Safety tips

From ODOT-
The Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest travel weekend of the year. As thoughts turn to celebrating with family and friends, we will suspend construction on the Willamette River Bridge project from Nov. 25 through Nov. 28.

Although actual roadwork will pause for the holiday, the work zone is still considered "active." The on-ramp from Franklin Boulevard to southbound I-5 is still closed, park path detours are still in effect and equipment is still in the area.

There are many standard safety tips to follow, but my top-three favorites are:

• Obey the speed limit - remember that fines double in highway work zones.
• Wear your seat belts - Oregon is joining traffic enforcement nationwide to reduce crashes, injuries and deaths during the holiday period's special Click It or Ticket enforcement effort.
• Stay sober and alert - don't drink and drive or get into a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking.

On a related note, I've recently learned that, statewide, there's been a significant increase in pedestrian vs. auto accidents compared to the same time last year. Many pedestrians and bicyclists share the paths in Alton Baker Park. Some of the paths near the work site are now affected by construction detours as well as the dark and wet conditions of winter. Please use extra caution on the paths and on the roadways.

Our entire ODOT and Hamilton Construction team urges you to drive carefully and plan for extra time to reach your destination during the weekend.

Have a safe and fun holiday!