# I‑5 corridor infrastructure work in Pacific Northwest > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/i5-corridor-infrastructure-work-in-pacific-northwest > Updated: 2026-07-29T22:59:27.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. 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. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-29: Washington State I‑5 Ramp Closure Spurs Traffic Delays in Vancouver and Portland Washington’s I‑5 ramp to I‑205 will be closed July 31–Aug 2, causing delays; a Portland report links anti‑auto policies to rising congestion, fuel waste and emissions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/washington-state-i5-ramp-closure-spurs-traffic-delays-in-vancouver-and-portland ### 2026-07-01: Federal Approval Clears Way for I‑5 Bridge Replacement in Pacific Northwest Federal agencies approved the I‑5 Columbia River bridge replacement, letting Washington and Oregon advance contractor selection and permitting for a new, seismically safer structure. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/federal-approval-clears-way-for-i5-bridge-replacement-in-pacific-northwest --- Cite as: I‑5 corridor infrastructure work in Pacific Northwest. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/i5-corridor-infrastructure-work-in-pacific-northwest