Transportation Option B
- The freeway and the Marquam Bridge would be removed from the
I-84 interchange to where the Marquam connects with I-405 on the
west side. I-405 would be redesignated as I-5 (in red).
The portion of present-day I-5 north of the Rose Quarter to
the Fremont Bridge would be redesignated as an extension of
I-84 (in green).
- A new bridge across the Willamette would be double-decked
to accommodate light-rail, streetcars, peds and bikes on the
lower-level and trucks and cars on the upper level (see light blue).
The bridge would connect to I-5 on the west side approximately
where the Marquam presently connects with I-405 and, on the
eastside, would pass just to the south of OMSI and meet
McLoughlin Blvd. at a signalized intersection to allow access
onto the MLK/Grand corridor to the north (magenta circle).
This would provide local access from the central eastside and
inner southeast neighborhoods to I-5 in both directions.
Additionally, new on/off ramps where MLK/Grand pass over I-84
would allow local access to I-84 (in green) in both directions.
The new bridge would be approximately the height of the
Ross Island Bridge to preclude the need to include a lift mechanism
on the bridge, thus eliminating delays.
- The new bridge viaduct would continue east, passing over
McLoughlin, turn north, and descend into a new tunnel below 7th Avenue.
This 4-lane expressway would provide a direct and convenient connection
between I-5 and I-84. (Approximately 2/3 of the traffic currently
going over the Marquam makes this connection and option B accommodates
this.) The 80' ROW of 7th Avenue would allow the construction of a
tunnel without requiring the condemnation of property, and the
low traffic volumes of 7th would minimize disruption during the
tunnel's construction (see street cross-section below). This 7th Avenue
expressway tunnel would include NO on/off ramps, it would
only provide direct access to and from I-5 southbound and
I-84 eastbound and vice versa.
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