Traffic moving better than expected 2 weeks into I-5 closure, ODOT reports

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Nearly two weeks into the southbound I-5 closure, ODOT reports traffic is moving better than expected. Drivers are finding workarounds—adjusting travel times or taking alternate routes.

ODOT warned the closure could triple drive times, but instead, trips are taking about twice as long, however, drivers tell FOX 12 any added delay is still taking a toll.

Nearly two weeks in, and drivers are feeling the pain from the I-5 closure.

“It’s killing my vibe,” said driver Branden McFarland.

“It’s only been about two weeks and it feels like it’s been forever,” said Lucy Becker, who commutes from Portland to Vancouver.

ODOT said since the start of the closure peak hour commutes have doubled and for drivers that hasn’t been easy.

“We have had to wake up really early in the morning to check the apps and see what traffic looks like and you know that sucks,” said McFarland.

“Sometimes it’s been taking me almost an hour to get home when usually my commute is usually only 35 minutes,” said Becker.

Many drivers are leaving early or staying late to avoid gridlock. But for families on tight schedules, longer delays could cause serious issues.

“We have a baby we need to drop off first thing in the morning, and my wife only has five to ten minutes of wiggle room because she has to teach classes in the morning so if things get much worse we would have to leave the house, I mean I don’t what we would do when it comes to sleeping,” said McFarland.

According to ODOT, congestion has increased in these areas:

• North Interstate Avenue in the southbound direction saw a 34% increase in travelers, with about 10,000 vehicles per day passing the intersection at North Graham Street.
• Northeast Martin Luther King Boulevard in the southbound direction saw a 34% increase in travelers, with about 29,000 vehicles per day passing by the intersection at Northeast Everett Street.
• North Vancouver Avenue in the southbound direction saw a 54% increase in travelers, with about 8,000 vehicles per day passing by the intersection at North Mason Street.
• The Steel Bridge in the westbound direction saw a 67% increase in travelers, with about 7,500 vehicles per day.
• Southwest Naito Parkway in the southbound direction saw a 35% increase in travelers, with about 8,500 vehicles per day passing by the intersection at Southwest Oak Street.

The congestion forcing drivers onto packed side streets, and making it tough for commuters like Becker.

“It seems like every day I’m taking a different route home trying to avoid as much as I can and it’s not fun,” said Becker. “Sometimes I’ll take 205 but my maps always reroute me through the city streets and even those are super backed up I don’t think google maps has accounted for how backed up the side streets are.”

With nearly three weeks to go, drivers are just counting down the days.

“Some days it ruins my day, other days it’s okay,” said Becker. “I guess I’m just spending more time in my car I don’t want to but there’s nothing I can really do about it.”

To learn more about options to shift your trip and plan ahead, go here.