2023 Recap: A Year of Progress Toward Seismically Upgrading the Abernethy Bridge
12/15/23 update: The concrete pour and associated on- and off-ramp closures scheduled for December 16 and December 17 have been postponed. Details regarding a new date for this work will be shared shortly.
Construction Impact Alert: Starting December 16 at 9 p.m. until December 17 at noon, northbound I-205 across the Abernethy Bridge will have temporary lane reductions and selected on- and off-ramp closures with detours in West Linn and Oregon City. The bridge will remain open, but delays are likely. Please sign up for email and text message alerts about construction-related impacts.
The end of the year is the perfect time to recap the I-205 Abernethy Bridge Project’s achievements during 2023. Remarkable progress has been made this year as crews work toward the 2025 completion of ODOT’s largest highway construction project in over 45 years.
As we bid farewell to 2023, let’s recap some of the project’s accomplishments:
New Roundabout in West Linn
At the end of August, crews completed a new roundabout connecting OR 43 with northbound I-205 on schedule. This unique piece of roadway is one of the project’s key strategies to improve safety and smooth local traffic flows. The roundabout replaced two on-ramps that previously connected OR 43 with northbound I-205. The old on-ramp configuration resulted in complicated merges onto northbound I-205 from OR 43 that increased the likelihood of sideswipe collisions. The new roundabout is expected to practically eliminate head-on collisions in the area and reduce other collisions by 48%. Within months of opening, the roundabout contributed to reduced travel times and increased local average speeds, including a roughly 10 mph increase in peak hour speeds on northbound I-205 between 10th Street and OR 99E.
Multiple closures and detours were needed to accommodate constructing the roundabout, including two sets of multi-week, all-day closures during the spring and summer. We know these were inconvenient, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding—thank you.
The now-closed elevated on-ramp that connected northbound OR 43 with northbound I-205 will be removed during 2024.
If you wonder how roundabouts improve safety, please review this fact sheet.
In-Water Foundation Work Complete
One of the critical components that will make the completed Abernethy Bridge able to withstand a Cascadia-level event will be new support columns under the bridge decks. Some of these new support columns will be anchored in the Willamette River, adding an additional layer of complexity to an already technically ambitious project. 2023 saw the completion of all in-water foundation work for the new bridge columns. Throughout 2023, more of the in-water support columns became visible, and what is emerging above the river’s surface is only part of the fantastic engineering that enables the columns’ foundations to rest hundreds of feet below the river’s surface anchored in bedrock. Completing the in-water foundation work by the end of 2023 is another critical project milestone--it’s more proof that the first earthquake ready interstate bridge over the Willamette River in the Portland area is well on its way to being a reality.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and Economic Development Accomplishments
The passage of another year provides an opportunity to assess the project’s performance on its ambitious Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals for hiring and contracting. The project’s goals reflect its commitment to cultivating a workforce that reflects the community and positioning DBEs for success. Following are some highlights of the project’s DBE efforts so far:
16% of workers are from nearby economically distressed zip codes, which is eight points above the project’s goal.
Total wages paid to employees from economically disadvantaged zip codes represent roughly 14% of all the employee wages paid.
26% of all workforce hours were generated by minorities, which is six points above the goal.
Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO)-referred workforce hours generated by tribal members are one percent above goal at six percent.
Total payments to DBE contractors to date equal roughly $20M.
(note: figures accurate as of 9/30/23)
Visual overview of the I-205 Abernethy Bridge Project construction area
These are only some of the accomplishments achieved by the project team this year, and none of them would have occurred without the dedication, professionalism, innovation and enthusiasm of the entire project team--thank you. Our sincere thanks also extend to the users, local neighbors, fans of Oscar the Oscillator, and others who have extended their patience and support—thank you…