ODOT Celebrates National Safety Month

OR 43 interchange with I-205 in West Linn

Reminder: The loop on-ramp connecting southbound OR 43 to I-205 northbound in West Linn is closed from June 2 – June 26. Drivers should follow the signed detour.  

June is National Safety Month. As ODOT celebrates this summer, we are highlighting some of the safety enhancements users will experience as part of the Abernethy Bridge construction project.  

Some of the most impactful safety improvements in the Project will be replacing the current on-ramp connecting OR 43 with northbound I-205 with a roundabout. This change will make merging onto I-205 northbound safer and reduce the potential for crashes. This animation depicts how the new roundabout will function. Work on the Abernethy Bridge project overall will be completed in 2025, but the new roundabout is scheduled to be completed later in 2023. 

When the Project is completed, the revamped Abernethy Bridge will have auxiliary lanes for safer merging in heavy traffic. These, paired with widened and realigned 99E on- and off-ramps, will provide greater safety for drivers. 

Safety improvements are not limited to only vehicle traffic, however. The Abernethy Bridge upgrades include new pedestrian and bike options around OR 43 and OR 99E for people who walk, bike, and roll. These improvements include crosswalks with enhanced signals, wider sidewalks, new curbs, and new multi-use paths on both sides of the river within the construction area.   

As important as these improvements are, they must be paired with safety-centric decisions by users, such as avoiding distracted driving or driving while impaired, using seatbelts and child safety seats properly, or wearing a helmet and reflective clothing. Additional safety tips for all users are on ODOT’s website.

While June is National Safety Month, ODOT’s dedication to safety is year-round. ODOT reminds drivers to demonstrate their commitment to safety by following all traffic laws and slowing down while driving through work zones, such as those in the Abernethy Bridge area.

Follow ODOT's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates on the I-205 Improvements Project. Please sign up for text messages and email alerts to stay informed or visit TripCheck.