Graffiti returns to I-84 within 24 hours of state-funded removal

Taggers have already paid a visit to Interstate 84 after crews closed a five-mile stretch of the highway for graffiti removal over the weekend.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Taggers have already paid a visit to Interstate 84 after crews closed a five-mile stretch of the highway for graffiti removal over the weekend.

Multiple state and local agencies worked together to clear graffiti and remove trash along the corridor between I-5 and I-205 late Saturday night through Sunday morning.

Gov. Tina Kotek visited the efforts over the weekend and said several cleanups were recently funded by $20 million from the state.

Oregon Bureau of Transportation spokesman Don Hamilton said the bureau always expects graffiti to return, though the work this weekend pushed the problem in the right direction.

“We're going to continue to work with law enforcement and also to try to improve this problem,” he said. “Everybody in the community knows graffiti and litter are a problem in the I-84 corridor and in many places around the community.

The work involved more than 100 workers from ODOT, Union Pacific Railroad, TriMet, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Metro and Multnomah County. It also included other maintenance work — such as electrical work, sign maintenance, patching pavement, cleaning drains and more.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience during this 12-hour closure,” ODOT Manager Rian Windsheimer said in a statement before the closure. “This is a rare opportunity to have safe access to perform clean-up work in difficult areas and we plan to take full advantage.”