Update 5:20 p.m.: All northbound lanes of Interstate 5 are open north of the Fremont Bridge in Portland after a 13-hour closure as crews finished an emergency grinding and paving repair project in response to a 4 a.m. truck fire that damaged the road surface.
The weather aided in the road restoration, said Don Hamilton, spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation.
“The lack of rain and the sun really helped us get that asphalt cured in time for the evening rush hour,” Hamilton said.
Travelers should check Tripcheck for the most up to date information on rush-hour congestion, he said.
Update 9:15 a.m. The truck fire from early Tuesday morning has damaged the freeway road surface. The Oregon Department of Transportation said that contractor crews will need to complete emergency grinding and paving before the freeway can reopen. This may take several hours, and there is no estimate of a reopening time.
Northbound travelers should use Interstate 84 to Interstate 205 to continue into Washington. Local traffic can use surface streets but should expect long delays, especially if this closure lasts into the afternoon/evening commute.
Southbound lanes of the freeway opened at about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
All lanes of Interstate 5 are shut down early Tuesday due to a truck fire. The vehicle was carrying propane tanks, according to Portland Fire & Rescue.
Portland Fire sent a notice out via X (Twitter) about 5 a.m. stating all lanes of the busy freeway were closed for safety as the canisters were exploding.
Southbound traffic is being diverted at Rosa Parks Way. Northbound lanes are closed prior to the Fremont Bridge/I-405.
Traffic on I-405 northbound is also closed at the Fremont Bridge.
The Skidmore overpass is closed to vehicles and pedestrians as a safety precaution.
This post will be updated.