Hawthorne Bridge Westside Ramp Project

Project Information

View west of closed crosswalk and ramp construction, with new courthouse at left.

• Location: The south side of the eastbound SW Madison St. approach ramp to the Hawthorne Bridge on the west side of the river, above the southbound lanes of SW Naito Parkway.
• Schedule: January 21 – April 26, 2019
• Contractor: Hamilton Construction (sub to Hoffman Construction, general contractor for Central Courthouse)
• Cost: $900,000
• Funding Source: Central Courthouse project (Multnomah County funds)

Project Description

Multnomah County’s Central Courthouse is being built on a block that once had an onramp from southbound SW Naito Parkway to the eastbound Hawthorne Bridge. The ramp was closed in 1997. This project removed a portion of the onramp where it connected to the south side of the bridge above the southbound lanes of SW Naito Parkway.

A portion of the structure was removed and a new outside edge to the current eastbound ramp, parapet wall and handrail was built. Before the courthouse opens in late spring 2020, the project will construct a staircase linking the south sidewalk of the Hawthorne Bridge onramp to the west sidewalk on SW Naito Parkway.

Traffic Impacts

• SW Naito Parkway:
  • Demolition of parts of the old ramp required closures of southbound and northbound lanes on SW Naito Parkway. This work was performed on week nights from 8 pm to 6 am, when less traffic uses the road.
  • For several weeks in February, the two southbound lanes and the inside northbound lane of SW Naito Parkway were closed at night. When both traffic lanes were closed in the same direction, traffic was detoured onto SW First Ave. or SW Second Ave. for several blocks. 
  • Lane closures were needed at times throughout construction. All lanes were open during peak commute hours.
  • The west sidewalk of SW Naito Parkway was already closed on the courthouse block, due to construction. Pedestrians can use SW First Ave. or the multi-use path in Waterfront Park. The sidewalk will reopen in 2020.
  • Bicyclists used the Better Naito bike lanes on the east side of SW Naito Parkway starting January 28, or the multi-use path in Waterfront Park.

• SW Madison St. eastbound onramp to Hawthorne Bridge:
  • The outside (right) traffic lane were closed for the duration of the project between SW First Ave. and the top of the northbound ramp from SW Naito Parkway to the bridge. Both eastbound lanes were open east of the ramp.
  • The inside (left) eastbound lane remained open, except for one night at the start and end of the project when both lanes were closed to set up or remove traffic control.
  • The south sidewalk on the SW Madison onramp to Hawthorne Bridge was closed between SW First Ave. and the east side of SW Naito Parkway throughout the project. Pedestrians were detoured to the north bridge sidewalk and to the south sidewalk east of SW Naito Parkway. The sidewalk ramp and stairs from the south side of the Hawthorne Bridge to Waterfront Park remained open.
  • A narrow bike lane (four feet wide) remained open for eastbound bicyclists along the work zone.
  • The bridge was closed to motor vehicles from 10 pm on Friday, March 8 until 5 am on Monday, March 11 during a concrete pour for the new deck.

Schedule

• January 21-22: The inside (north) eastbound lane was closed on the SW Madison St. onramp to Hawthorne Bridge between SW First Ave. and the onramp from SW Naito Parkway from 8 pm to 6 am during utility preparation work. The outside (south) eastbound lane was open, as well as the south sidewalk and bike lane.
• January 28^th – Both eastbound lanes on the SW Madison St. onramp to the Hawthorne Bridge, and the south sidewalk and bike lane were closed to install traffic control from 8 pm to 6 am. Eastbound access to the Hawthorne Bridge for all modes was limited to the northbound onramp from SW Naito Parkway and stairs from Waterfront Park that night. The north sidewalk of the bridge was open.
• January 28 – Late February:
  • Set up work zone barriers on Hawthorne Bridge approach ramp (south side).
  • Week night southbound and northbound lane closures on SW Naito Parkway. The outside (right) lane and sidewalk were closed on eastbound Hawthorne Bridge ramp during demolition, construction of concrete falsework. 
• Late February – Late April:
  • Shift to daytime work with off-peak lane closures on SW Naito Parkway and during final concrete work, installation of railing, light poles and signs. Sidewalk and outside (right) lane remain closed on ramp.
• June (one night): Install two new streetlights when parts are delivered

For information:

Hawthorne eastbound bike lane on rebuilt Madison ramp near Naito onramp.

• Better Naito project: https://www.portland.gov/transportation/pbot-projects/ccim/construction/better-naito-forever

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