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Construction has begun in North Portland on the North Rivergate Boulevard Overcrossing – a bridge over railroad tracks intended to relieve traffic congestion caused by trains blocking roads.

The $25.8 million project will provide a crossing over North Rivergate Boulevard in the Rivergate Industrial District. Railroad traffic can affect vehicle circulation in the area for up to four hours a day, the Portland Bureau of Transportation stated in a news release.

A combination of federal, state and local dollars, including a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant that was given to the Port of Portland in 2016, are being used to pay for the project. Metro, the Oregon Department of Transportation and the city of Portland (transportation system development charges) are also contributing money.

The general contractor for the North Rivergate Boulevard Overcrossing is Vancouver, Washington-based Cascade Bridge. Participating subcontractors include McDonald Excavating, Northstar Electrical Contractors, JBL Signs and Roger Langeliers Construction Co.

Rivergate Boulevard is now closed from North Lombard Street to North Time Oil Road. Traffic is being detoured from North Burgard Road to North Time Oil Road for the duration of the closure – about a year, according to PBOT‘s expectations. Local access to the properties within the closure area will be maintained via new access roads for the construction period.

The bridge is scheduled to be completed in spring 2021.