I-5 Rose Quarter Widening
30%-90% Transit Lead
Early Work Package B
(2019-2023)
Early Work Package B (EWP-B) was part of ODOT’s I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, a multi-phase effort to improve safety and reliability where I-5 meets I-84 and I-405 and to reconnect the historic Albina neighborhood through future highway covers and local street upgrades.
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Role:
As Transit Lead, Sarah managed a team focused on reducing transit impacts in the design of Early Work Package B for 30%, 60%, and 90% design milestones. She coordinated closely with TriMet/ODOT for track outages and temporary OCS configurations while redesigning an existing ductbank impacted by the proposed widening of the overhead I-5 Holladay/Hassalo bridge. Her role involved coordinating temporary shutdowns of light rail and streetcar operations, relocating transit infrastructure, adjusting bus routes, coordinating utility relocations, and managing pedestrian pathway disruptions. Sarah worked closely with the CMGC, design teams, and various agencies to develop alternative routes and construction strategies. Her efforts prioritized existing ridership and mitigating light rail shutdowns to maintain service continuity during construction. Her transit expertise was crucial in planning for public transit accessibility throughout the project's phases despite its scale and complexity.
Project Description
Early Work Package B (EWP-B) was a critical enabling phase of ODOT’s I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, preparing the corridor for future highway covers and the main construction package. The work threads freeway, ramp, and structural improvements through one of Portland’s most constrained transportation hubs, immediately adjacent to the Rose Quarter Transit Center. Because MAX tracks, platforms, and the overhead contact system sit within the influence area, the plan prioritizes rail protection, clearance control, and minimizing revenue revenue service disruptions. Constructability drove the design for underground ductbank and utility relocations, barrier replacements, and early seismic elements to avoid critical-path conflicts while keeping transit, mainline and ramp movements open. Tight geometry, nearby venues, and dense urban streets limit access and laydown, demanding block-by-block traffic control, overnight windows, and precision crane and concrete operations. Utilities, drainage, and ADA upgrades are integrated to maintain safe operations for transit, cyclists, and pedestrians. Success hinged on rigorous multi-agency coordination among ODOT, TriMet rail operations, the City of Portland, emergency services, and the CMGC team with documented decisions and track-access planning. In short, EWP-B was a high-consequence, low-tolerance package that protects today’s mobility while unlocking the larger Rose Quarter improvements to come.
Key Project Features:
Anticipated Transit Impacts:
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Temporary shutdown of light rail/Streetcar operations.
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Relocation of underground and partial reconstruction of street-level transit infrastructure.
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Adjustments to existing bus routes and schedules during construction
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Disruption to pedestrian pathways for local transit users.
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Coordination: Sarah worked collaboratively with the CMGC contractor, design team, and multiple agencies (local, state, and transit) to mitigate transit disruptions.
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Alternative Route Planning: Sarah developed and implemented strategies to maintain as much service continuity as possible during construction.
Results/Impact:
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Minimized Rider Inconvenience: Despite the scale and complexity of the project, Sarah's coordination efforts ensured that the impact on transit riders was minimized and alternative transit routes were well-planned.
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Service Continuity: Key transit services were maintained through the project's most disruptive phases, allowing for smoother transitions during construction activities.
Additional Highlights:
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Sarah’s skill in multi-agency coordination positioned the project to mitigate operational shutdowns during construction and reduce agency risk.
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Her light rail operations expertise helped drive a design to mitigate accessibility to public transit throughout the various stages of the project.