06-06-2025
Heat wave, road closures, MAX delays: Portland weekend could be a mess
PORTLAND, Ore. () — A is set to bake the Portland metro area this weekend just as drivers and transit riders face a minefield of closures, delays and detours.
Highs are expected to by Sunday, potentially tying a 70-year-old record. But it's not just the sun that could bring the burn.
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Highway 217 southbound will be fully closed from Canyon Road to OR-99W starting Friday night through early Monday as part of a recurring summer construction project.
At the same time, westbound I-84 will shut down between I-205 and I-5 from midnight Saturday until 4 p.m. Sunday.
Crews will be doing maintenance and graffiti cleanup, forcing TriMet to pause MAX service in the area. Shuttle buses will fill the gaps.
Expect another shutdown at Northeast 82nd Avenue, where TriMet crews are building a temporary MAX platform as part of a station overhaul set to last through the end of the year.
'A lot of safety improvements are going to be part of the refurbishment of the station,' said TriMet spokesperson Tyler Graf. 'Just to give it a fresher look to give our riders a better experience.'
On Saturday morning, Southwest Naito Parkway and surrounding downtown streets will close for the Grand Floral Parade.
Some neighbors are taking it in stride.
'I might go for a hike on Saturday and go to church on Sunday like normal,' said Portlander Bill Sweeney.
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Others, like visitor Zane McGee, are playing it safe.
'Staying inside, really,' McGee said. 'Especially being a redhead. I have to make sure to wear sunscreen when I go out.'
And for drivers? The forecast isn't just hot—it's potentially heated.
'When it gets too hot, people get angry, disoriented… it's chaos,' said Sandra Kitanga. 'You've got to have patience.'
Despite the heat, Multnomah County does not plan to open emergency cooling centers since temperatures aren't forecasted to reach the established threshold.
Officials recommend visiting libraries, malls, or other public indoor spaces. Residents can call 2-1-1 for help finding a place to cool off.
Kitanga's advice for the weekend?
'It's never that serious. You're gonna have more hot days this summer.'
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The Oregon Health Authority has about preventing heat-related illnesses, including staying hydrated, visiting air-conditioned places and using cool compresses and misting and taking cool showers or baths.
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