Widespread Traffic Disruptions
Major Road Closures and Construction Disrupt Traffic Across Five Regions
Anonymous
Key Points
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Portland’s congestion has shifted the normal commute window: southbound I-5 traffic has begun as early as 5 a.m., compared with 6:30 a.m. last year, and remains heavy past 7:30 p.m., versus about 6 p.m. previously. ODOT said crews are working around the clock to repair weak areas, replace bridge joints, repave the highway and make safety improvements.
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Manchester’s Queen City Bridge dates to 1923, although its deck was replaced in a $9.4 million project completed two years ago. The city had not provided an estimated reopening date while investigators examined the rust and possible truss crack.
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For Nashik’s immersion-day closures, buses traveling through Nashik Road will be rerouted over the Nashik Road flyover toward Sinnar Phata, while Deolali Camp-bound buses and other vehicles will use Jai Bhawani Road, Vihitgaon and Deolali Camp.
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The Rochester closure will allow crews to remove temporary supports from the westbound I-90 bridge over Highway 52, paint bridge rails and beams, complete paving on both Highway 52 lanes and apply temporary striping. The work is part of a larger, multiyear reconstruction of the I-90–Highway 52 interchange.
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The Bellmawr work is intended to create a seamless route for I-295 traffic through the I-295, I-76 and Route 42 interchange. During the closures, portable variable-message signs and New Jersey State Police assistance will support traffic management through the affected ramps and lane shifts.
Road closures and construction are disrupting traffic across five cities this week and beyond. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that Portland's five-week Interstate 5 closure through the Rose Quarter has more than doubled afternoon commute times. Meanwhile, Manchester's Queen City Bridge remains closed indefinitely after WMUR found rust and a possible truss crack, while Nashik, Rochester, and Bellmawr all face major traffic disruptions from construction and planned events.
These overlapping closures reveal a pattern of aging infrastructure nationwide. In Portland, morning traffic now begins at 5 a.m. instead of 6:30 a.m., stretching commutes deep into evening. The disruptions affect commuters, emergency responders, and local businesses across regions struggling with infrastructure repairs.
Portland's Five-Week Interstate 5 Shutdown Reshapes Rush Hour
The southbound I-5 closure in Portland's Rose Quarter began September 11 and runs through October. OregonLive found that afternoon travel times have doubled on key routes, though the disruption remains less severe than ODOT initially predicted. Morning commutes now start at 5 a.m.—nearly two hours earlier than last year. Evening congestion persists past 7:30 p.m., compared with 6 p.m. previously.
ODOT crews work around the clock replacing bridge joints, repaving the highway, replacing bridge joints, and making seismic safety improvements. The 2-mile closure was chosen over alternatives that would have created hourly traffic jams for months or stretched construction across two years. Local trucking companies report unprecedented freight delays affecting regional supply chains.
Manchester's 1923 Bridge Closes Over Structural Safety Concerns
Manchester's Queen City Bridge closed indefinitely after inspectors discovered rust and a possible crack in the truss. WMUR reported the bridge, built in 1923 and spanning the Merrimack River, will remain closed while the city investigates the structural deficiencies. Despite a $9.4 million deck replacement completed two years ago, underlying original steel components triggered the emergency closure.
The indefinite closure disrupts medical appointments, school transportation, and daily commutes. Mayor Jay Ruais said he remains in constant contact with Public Works, emphasizing that "the safety of our residents and those who travel through Manchester remains our highest priority." The city has not announced a reopening date while investigators examine the damage.
Ganpati Procession Closes Major Routes in Nashik on Friday
Nashik City Police will close numerous roads Friday for Ganpati immersion processions affecting central areas and routes toward Nashik Road, Panchavati, Dwarka, and Deolali. Times of India reported extensive traffic diversions designed to accommodate the major cultural event. Buses traveling through Nashik Road will be rerouted over the Nashik Road flyover toward Sinnar Phata.
Deolali Camp-bound buses and other vehicles will use Jai Bhawani Road, Vihitgaon, and Deolali Camp instead of direct routes. The closures are temporary but will significantly impact traffic flow through the city's central corridors during the religious observance.
Rochester and Bellmawr Face Multi-Day Highway and Interchange Work
Highway 52 near Rochester will close in both directions for three days beginning September 22 for bridgework and paving near Interstate 90. The closure allows crews to remove temporary supports from the westbound I-90 bridge, paint bridge rails and beams, complete paving on both lanes, and apply temporary striping. This work is part of a larger $27 million, multiyear reconstruction of the I-90–Highway 52 interchange.
In Bellmawr, New Jersey, overnight lane and ramp closures on Routes 42, I-295, and I-76 will continue through Saturday as crews install structural steel for the Direct Connection project. Portable variable-message signs and New Jersey State Police will assist traffic management through the affected ramps and lane shifts. The project aims to create a seamless route for I-295 traffic through the interchange.
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