I‑5 corridor infrastructure work in Pacific Northwest

In early July, federal authorities approved the replacement of the I‑5 bridge spanning the Columbia River, clearing the way for major construction on the interstate that links Washington and Oregon. By the end of the month, work had progressed to the Washington State portion of the corridor, with a contractor closing the southbound I‑5 ramp to I‑205 at Exit 7 in Vancouver, WA, for lane striping, new signage and guard‑rail installation. The temporary closure, scheduled from the night of July 31 to the morning of August 2, reduced the speed limit on adjacent I‑5 lanes and prompted the deployment of a queue‑warning system. Officials warned drivers of expected delays and recommended alternate routes. The ramp work was highlighted alongside a policy report on Portland’s long‑standing “war on cars,” which notes that despite decades of investment in public transit, commuter traffic and related emissions have surged, underscoring the broader transportation challenges surrounding the I‑5 improvements.