TROUTDALE, Ore. (Gresham Outlook) — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is replacing two aging bridges on Interstate 84 over Graham Road in Troutdale, along with reconstructing the Graham Road underpass.
The state transportation agency is replacing the two bridges because of the overpasses’ poor condition, said Don Hamilton, ODOT Public Information Officer.
“The most important aspect of this was that it was old. It was crumbling and (the bridges) needed to be replaced,” Hamilton said.
The bridges, which are 60- and 70-years old, carry approximately 25,000 cars over I-84 each day. ODOT is predicting the number of commuters to increase significantly in the coming years.
Construction will require periodic lane closures on I-84 from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weeknights and 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends. ODOT began closing the lanes this month, and the temporary lane closures are expected to end by summer 2020.
ODOT is raising the height of the bridges to 17 feet from 14 feet to accommodate for an expected increase in commercial semi-truck travel on Graham Road.
