The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) reports that a major I-5 improvement project in South Salem is wrapping up significantly ahead of its original schedule and about $1 million under its construction budget. Careful planning, coordination and strategic construction scheduling helped ODOT deliver the project more efficiently.
Construction on the I-5 Widening Project: Kuebler Boulevard to Delaney Road began in 2024 and was originally expected to continue into 2027. Major construction is now wrapping up in 2026.
The project widens southbound I-5 to three lanes between Kuebler Boulevard and Delaney Road, helping address a bottleneck and improve traffic flow through south Salem.
The work went beyond widening the interstate. Crews also:
- Replaced and realigned the Battle Creek Road Bridge over I-5.
- Replaced the I-5 bridge over the Commercial Street northbound off-ramp.
- Rebuilt the southbound Delaney Road off-ramp.
- Built a new roundabout at Battle Creek Road and Wiltsey Street.
- Paved portions of northbound and southbound I-5.
- Built two new sound walls.
This is the first phase of a larger plan to eventually provide three lanes in both directions on I-5 between Kuebler Boulevard and Delaney Road. There is currently no funding available for the northbound widening.
Some finishing work will continue, including erosion control, landscaping, guardrail work, barrier painting, fencing, illumination and installing signs. Crews will also clean up and remove equipment from the construction site.
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