Major travel disruptions ahead, starting 9/11/2026. Prepare now and avoid the congestion.
Construction in the Rose Quarter area will bring big travel impacts to the Portland region. Whether you’re commuting to work, heading downtown for an event, managing employee travel, or traveling to or through Portland, planning ahead can help you avoid delays and reduce stress.
Here are some of the best ways commuters, visitors, and employers can prepare.
For Commuters: Plan Before You Travel
Even if you don’t regularly drive through the Rose Quarter, construction-related traffic being diverted to other freeways and streets can affect travel throughout the region.
Top travel tips to make your life easier:
- Checking traffic conditions before you leave.
- Trying biking, walking, transit, vanpooling, or carpooling for part or all of your trip. Use Get There Connect, our free online tool and app, to explore which options are best for your commute [link to: GTC]
- Shifting your commute time when possible.
- Working remotely on high-impact travel days, if available.
- A little planning can go a long way toward avoiding unexpected delays.
For Visitors: Give Yourself Extra Time
Attending a concert, Trail Blazers game, convention, or other event near downtown Portland?
Build extra travel time into your plans and research your route before you leave. Parking areas, freeway access points, and traffic patterns may look different than you’re used to.
Transit can often provide a more predictable trip during major construction activities, especially for events with large crowds.
For Employers: Prepare Your Workforce Early
Employers have an important role to play in helping employees navigate construction-related disruptions.
Consider:
- Communicating expected impacts and timelines.
- Offering flexible schedules where possible.
- Supporting work-from-home options.
- Encouraging employees to explore transit, vanpooling, biking, walking, or carpooling.
- Sharing commute planning resources through internal communications.
Even small adjustments can help employees maintain reliable access to work while reducing congestion across the region.
Portland area employers can get free customized support at GetTherePortlandMetro.org, or find ready-made resources here.
Explore Alternative Ways to Get There
Construction projects often provide a good opportunity to test a new commute option.
You may discover that riding transit, joining a vanpool, biking, or sharing rides with coworkers saves money, reduces stress, and makes your trip more predictable than driving alone through congestion.
Get There Oregon can help connect commuters and employers with tools and resources to find options that fit their needs.
Get Ready Now
The most successful travelers won’t wait until the closure begins. They’ll plan ahead, test alternative routes, and explore different travel options before construction impacts are underway.
Whether you’re commuting to work, visiting Portland, or helping employees navigate the changes, now is the time to start preparing.
