Construction: New bridge underway!

Under the Abernethy Bridge on the West Linn side crews prepare the construction access road to the river from OR 43.

Construction for the first phase of the I-205 Improvements Project is underway and crews are beginning to stage equipment near the Abernethy Bridge. Crews are mobilizing a casing oscillator near the construction site, which is used to drill large diameter shafts exceeding 200 feet, or the equivalent of a 20-story building. Once completed, the new shafts will support the foundations of the Abernethy Bridge to help it withstand a major earthquake.

Beginning in July, pile installation activities are scheduled to occur at and around the Abernethy Bridge piers in West Linn.  Work will occur from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and last through October. Within 200’ of pile driving, the sound level will be comparable to a noisy restaurant.  At 500’ and further from pile driving, the sound will be no louder than city traffic.  While noise from this activity will be disruptive in the immediate area, the work is necessary to support construction.

If you have any concerns with noise during nighttime construction, call the 24-hour noise hotline at 503-294-2125.

Community members should anticipate impacts to vehicular travel and to bike and pedestrian paths along OR 99E, OR 43, and Clackamette Drive. There will be river impacts, including no wake zones implemented with buoys marking the bridge construction area and there will be large construction barges anchored in the river.

As construction on I-205 gets underway, we caution everyone to slow down, stay alert and remember that our crews want to go home safely each day. You can help us by following all work zone signs and directions as we make Abernethy Bridge earthquake ready.

For additional information about ODOT’s Work Zone Safety program please click here »

To stay informed about the latest construction and traffic information, we encourage you to sign up to receive email and text alerts here. If you’re interested in the most current traffic impacts, the I-205 Improvements Project website is updated weekly and Tripcheck.com shows real-time traffic impacts.