2023: A Busy Year for the I-205 Improvements Project
Cranes and construction vehicles adjacent to the Abernethy Bridge.
As we enter a new year, we would like to reflect on the project’s accomplishments from 2022 and share exciting project milestones likely to occur in 2023.
In July 2022, we broke ground on the I-205 Improvements Project’s first phase. Since then, the project has made notable accomplishments, including:
Completing pile driving for the 2022 work season in October.
Welcomed Oscar to the worksite. North America’s strongest Oscillator arrived to drill shafts deep into bedrock that are needed to support the widened and seismically upgraded Abernethy Bridge.
Created a diversity and workforce dashboard on the project website.
We know this critical work has resulted in inconveniences, such as periodic on- and off-ramp closures, temporary detours, single-lane closures and noise. We appreciate everyone’s patience while we do this important work to upgrade the Abernethy Bridge to withstand a Cascadia Subduction Zone level earthquake.
As we look ahead to 2023, the I-205 Improvements Project will continue progressing and some anticipated 2023 highlights include:
Completing construction of the temporary work bridges that provide critical access for the crews and machines working on the Abernethy Bridge.
Oscar will continue boring twelve new bridge shafts into bedrock over 200 feet below the Willamette River. These shafts will support the upgraded Abernethy Bridge, even during a major earthquake. If you would like to see Oscar in action, don’t wait! Once he finishes his work, he will be shipped to his next job site.
During 2023, observers should be able to see new bridge columns emerging from the Willamette River.
Completion of the West Linn roundabout that will reduce crashes and conflicts associated with movements to and from OR 43.
These are just some of the changes likely to occur during 2023, so please sign up for text messages and email alerts to stay informed of road closures, detours and other impacts, or visit TripCheck. You can also follow ODOT's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates on the I-205 Improvements Project.