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The cost of improving the Abernethy Bridge, which carries Interstate 205 between Oregon City and West Linn, has increased by $72 million, following a delay in construction. The Oregon Transportation Commission approved the increase during its Dec. 4 meeting.

The increase, from $600 million to $672 million, is for Phase 1A of the I-205 Improvements Project. The cost estimate for all of Phase 1 has risen to $815 million. The increase will be paid for via proceeds from sales of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s highway user tax revenue bonds, as identified in the Urban Mobility Strategy Finance Plan. The I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project will also receive $250 million from sales of these bonds.

During the I-205 Improvements Project crews are widening and seismically upgrading the Abernethy Bridge, creating safer options to enter and exit the corridor with an auxiliary lane from Oregon Route 43 to O.R. 213, and combining the O.R. 43 ramps.

Construction of Phase 1A began in summer 2022. The scope includes Abernethy Bridge improvements and adjacent highway construction, O.R. 43 roundabout construction and ramp improvements, O.R. 99E interchange improvements, stormwater treatment, retaining walls, signing, striping, sign structures, illumination, and construction of a sound wall at Exit 9. Locally funded water and sewer line improvements are also included in this phase.

Kiewit Infrastructure now expects to complete construction of Phase 1A in 2026, rather than 2025 as previously planned. The Oregon Transportation Commission previously approved additional construction authorizations of $19.8 million in November 2023 and $85.2 million in May 2024, to allow ODOT to address project cost increases.

The commission’s latest approval will allow ODOT to address cost increases due to project changes, including an additional delay of 307 days to complete construction in fall 2026, as well as additional engineering. Impacts from work that has been delayed require future work to be expedited to finish by fall 2026.