Portland metro Thursday traffic: Morrison Bridge closed to all traffic for two weekends

Morrison Bridge

The Morrison Bridge, spanning the Willamette River in Portland, August 6, 2015. Kristyna Wentz-Graff / Oregonian file photo.LC- The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com

Multnomah County will replace the drawbridge operation system of the Morrison Bridge over the next two weekends. This means the bridge must be closed to all modes of travel for extended periods of time. According to a recent release, the installation of the new system requires multiple test bridge lifts. The bridge will be closed 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 20, 21 and July 27, 28. The work is not weather dependent.

During the closures, ramps between the bridge and Interstate 5 and Interstate 84 will be closed, except for the ramp from the Morrison Bridge westbound to I-5 north. While the I-5 southbound City Center/Morrison Bridge off-ramp (exit 300) will be closed, the I-5 southbound ramp to Highway 99E/U.S. 26 will be open. Motorists can access Interstate 84 eastbound at Northeast Grand Avenue and at Northeast Everett Street.

To access downtown Portland from the freeways during the closure, I-5 southbound drivers can exit at the Rose Quarter/Broadway Bridge and I-84 westbound drivers can exit at Rose Quarter/Weidler exits.

The Hawthorne Bridge and Burnside Bridge are good alternate crossings for bicyclists and pedestrians.

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BEAVERTON 9 a.m.: Emergency crews are with a crash at Northwest Cornell Road at Bethany Boulevard.

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GRESHAM 8:35 a.m.: Injury crash reported on Southeast Hogan Road at Sixth Street.

Update 8:51 a.m.: Hogan Road is closed at the scene of this crash. Use an alternate route for at least the next half hour.

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FOREST GROVE 8:25 a.m.: Multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Thatcher and David Hill roads. Avoid the area.

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HAZEL DELL 8:12 a.m.: Crash on I-5 southbound near 99th Ave exit has the left and middle lanes blocked. Expect delays.

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OUTER SOUTHEAST 7:47 a.m.: Injury crash reported on Southeast 122nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard.

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EAST VANCOUVER 7:26 a.m.: Crash on I-205 southbound at Mill Plain Boulevard is blocking the left lane.

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GRESHAM 6:32 a.m.: Crash reported on Northeast 202nd Avenue at Glisan Street.

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TRIMET MAX BLUE LINE 6:30 a.m.: TriMet reports MAX Blue line westbound to Hillsboro is experiencing at least 15 minute delays through 7 p.m. due to an earlier mechanical issue near Hollywood Transit Center.

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The Portland Bureau of Transportation begins paving work on Southeast Harold Street from 111th-136th avenues on Thursday. Work hours are 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays (and possible weekends) through Aug. 2. Travelers should expect lane closures during work hours.

Crews will grind and pave 2.82 lane miles of pavement. Follow the directions of warning signs and flaggers when present. Access will be maintained for businesses and residents during the project.

Check back throughout the morning for the latest commuting updates and follow us on Twitter: @trafficportland

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