Bringing Change To the Quarter

Safely connecting communities today while investing in people for a better tomorrow

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Thank you!

Thank You For Participating In The Supplemental Environmental Assessment Public Comment Period.

Check back soon for the release of all public comments made. A full Public Comment Report with responses will be available later this year.

Happening Now

Events

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Meetings

Historic Albina Advisory Board (HAAB) Meeting

April 18, 2023

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Community Oversight Advisory Committee (COAC) Meeting

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Project Improvements

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A new cover over I-5, similar to a very wide bridge, that reconnects local streets and creates new community spaces on top for future development and economic opportunities.

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A new east-west roadway crossing over I-5 that reconnects Hancock Street across the highway, adding another crossing north of Broadway/Weidler.

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A variety of street improvements for people walking, biking and rolling.

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Ramp-to-ramp connections, paired with wider shoulders, that improve safety and reduce congestion at the state's top bottleneck.

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Relocation of the I-5 southbound off-ramp from N Broadway/N Vancouver Avenue to the south, connecting with NE Wheeler Avenue.

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Please note that this graphic is conceptual, and the project design and cover shape may change as design progresses.

Did you know?

I-5 between I-84 and I-405 is the top traffic bottleneck in Oregon and the 28th worst freight bottleneck in the nation as of 2021.

This section of I-5 has 3.5 times more crashes than the statewide average and some of the highest traffic volumes in the state.

In the project area, there is an average of 12 hours of congestion each day. As congestion and safety issues increase, travel on I-5 between I-84 and I-405 becomes less reliable for drivers and freight movement.

The highway lacks full shoulders in many spots, making it difficult to clear accidents and for emergency vehicles to respond quickly.

Safe and accessible bike and pedestrian facilities are lacking on neighborhood streets in the project area, making it challenging to navigate for people walking, biking and rolling.

Project Timeline

2017: Oregon legislators pass House Bill 2017 “Keep Oregon Moving,” which partially funds the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and ODOT initiate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review process.

2018: City of Portland adopts the Central City 2035 Plan and 2035 Transportation System Plan, both of which include the project. In addition, Metro includes the project in its 2018 Regional Transportation Plan.

2019: ODOT and FHWA release the NEPA Environmental Assessment (EA) followed by a 45-day public comment period.

2020: ODOT issues notice of intent to award a Construction Manager/General Contractor. ODOT and FHWA prepare a Revised EA, and FHWA signs a Finding of No Significant Impact for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project.

2021: ODOT releases an updated design package reflecting community input from the 2019 EA, an Independent Cover Assessment and an Environmental Peer Review. Project advisory committees recommend adoption of the Proposed Hybrid 3 Cover Concept design option as an outcome of the Independent Cover Assessment process.

2022: ODOT and FHWA release a Supplemental EA incorporating the new design package updates, followed by a 50-day public comment period. Contracts are awarded to three Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) for Early Work Packages A and B.

2023-2030: Anticipated construction of Early Work Packages and Main Construction Package on the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project.

Ongoing: The project team continues to listen to, inform and engage with the public, with a focus on the Black community and those with historic ties to Albina.

Select a node on the timeline to learn more.

HISTORY IN ALBINA
AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

During the 1950s and 60s, construction of the federal interstate system displaced more than a million Americans and had a profoundly negative impact on communities of color.

In Portland, generations of Black families in the Albina neighborhood still experience the lasting harm from the loss of their homes, businesses, places of worship and social gathering spaces. The construction of I-5, the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Portland Public School headquarters and "urban renewal" projects divided and displaced communities in North and Northeast Portland.

Watch and listen to the Voices of Albina

Success Stories

Learn more about the people who make this project possible

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Get Involved

Join Our Mailing List

Stay in the loop by viewing our past email updates or by signing up for our mailing list.

Send Us A Question Or Comment

Call us at 503-470-3127 or email us at i5rosequarter@odot.oregon.gov with any questions or comments. We make every effort to respond to inquiries within five business days.

Attend a Meeting or Event

We host and attend a variety of events to share information, get input on the project and answer your questions, including open houses, discussion groups and community tabling events. Also open to the public are regular advisory committee meetings, where two community-led committees meet with the project team and advise on topics such as project design and contracting guidelines.

Visit our Events & Meetings page to see more!

See all community engagement efforts