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The Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking a construction manager/general contractor for a $795 million project intended to alleviate the traffic bottleneck on Interstate 5 through Portland’s Rose Quarter.

A request for proposals was issued April 13 for a CM/GC contract with a guaranteed maximum price estimate between $575 million and $635 million. The work will widen a 1.8-mile stretch of the highway between Interstate 405 to the north and the Morrison Bridge exit to the south.

Plans call for the additions of auxiliary lanes and shoulders, construction of highway covers, improvements to surrounding surface streets, and upgrades to interchanges – including relocation of a frequently congested southbound on-ramp near the Moda Center.

In addition, three new I-5 bridges will be constructed, and multiple bridges will either be widened or removed. The project is expected to be completed with limited reduction in the number of travel lanes during construction.

The CM/GC will be part of a project team that includes ODOT, an owner’s representative and an architecture and engineering consultant. A best value selection method will be used to determine the CM/GC, which will be responsible for consulting, providing constructability review, cost control and estimating services, and self-performing at least 30 percent of work during the project’s construction phase.

According to the RFP, ODOT anticipates Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goals of about 18 to 22 percent. DBE goals for each amendment to the contract will be narrowly tailored to the subcontracting opportunities available for each such amendment.

The project has encountered opposition from critics who argue that it will increase emissions. They also have questioned how effective the improvements will be in relieving congestion and improving safety. The Oregon Transportation Commission recently gave ODOT the go-ahead to move forward with an environmental assessment for the project rather than conduct a more intensive environmental impact study.

A mandatory pre-proposal conference will take place April 28, and proposals are due May 19. Substantial completion of the project is to occur by Oct. 1, 2027.