Closures of Rhine-Lafayette overpass begin November 19th

Be advised that TriMet is doing work on the Rhine-Lafayette bridge elevators that will close it to bicycle users for three days this month and then again for two weeks in December. Check the official statement below for more info:

Three-day closure begins Monday, Nov. 19 with intermittent closures of elevators through Jan. 4

The Rhine-Lafayette Pedestrian Overpass in southeast Portland will close Monday, Nov. 19 through Wednesday, Nov. 21, as TriMet makes improvements to increase the reliability of the bridge’s elevators. The pedestrian overpass spans railroad tracks in the Brooklyn neighborhood, and connects SE Lafayette Street with SE Rhine Street. It provides connections to TriMet’s MAX Orange Line at the SE 17th Ave & Rhine St Station as well as to the Line 17-Holgate/Broadway, Line 70-12th/NE 33rd Ave and Line 291-Orange Night Bus. We will install HVAC equipment inside the elevator towers to regulate the temperature and humidity year-round. We also will be installing canopies over both elevator towers and adding drainage at the base of the towers to prevent rain from getting into the elevator mechanisms.

Construction closure schedule
The improvements will take about seven weeks and require the full closure of the Rhine-Lafayette overpass at times. The first full closure of the bridge comes at the beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday week.

Full closure of the pedestrian overpass:
– Monday, Nov. 19 – Wednesday, Nov. 21

Construction continues with no impact to users:
– Monday, Nov. 26 – Friday, Dec. 14

Elevators closed and intermittent closures of the overpass possible:
– Monday, Dec. 17 – Friday, Jan. 4

Also, SE Rhine Street east of SE 18th Avenue and SE Lafayette Street west of SE 20th Avenue will be closed Monday, Nov. 19 through Friday, Jan. 4.

Plan extra time for detour
During the closures, a detour will guide pedestrians and cyclists north to SE Powell Boulevard to cross under the railroad tracks. Those who use the Rhine-Lafayette overpass should plan an extra 10 to 15 minutes to navigate the detour between both sides of the bridge.

From the east side of the bridge, proceed north on SE 20th Avenue about 0.2 mile, then go west on SE Powell Boulevard another 0.2 mile. Cross SE Powell Boulevard Frontage Road and proceed south about 0.15 mile to SE Rhine Street.

From the west side of the bridge, proceed north on SE 17th Avenue about 0.15 mile and cross SE Powell Boulevard Frontage Road to SE Powell Boulevard. Go east on SE Powell Boulevard for another 0.2 mile and turn south on SE 20th Avenue for 0.2 mile to reach SE Lafayette Street.

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

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