Traffic slows on Hawthorne Bridge as repairs continue through August

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Having trouble crossing the Hawthorne Bridge on your way to and from work? Well, you may want to find an alternate route for the next several weeks.

Multnomah County has closed the outer westbound lane and the center eastbound lane of the Hawthorne Bridge to complete paving and repair work. The closure began Monday, July 8, and will last through the end of August.

Repairs will fix deteriorated deck concrete and place a new deck surface, and crews will also replace deck joints on the east and west sides of the bridge. The estimated cost for the project is $9.5 million in federal and local funds.

“Most work will be at night or during off-peak hours. There will be one-way closures during these times. The bridge will remain open with lane restrictions at other times. There may be short periods when full closures to cars, trucks and bicycles are needed for the safety of the public and construction crews,” according to the county.

The westbound bus stop on SE Madison Street will remain open, but the eastbound bus stop on SE Hawthorne Boulevard will remain closed until the project is over. Detours and alternative bus stops may be necessary.

Cyclists will still have access to the bridge through a protected barricade, though there is a short detour on the west side of the bridge. During full closures, however, cyclists will be detoured.