Starlight Parade will lead to road, bridge closures in downtown Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Portland Rose Festival is almost here, bringing along parades full of floral arrangements and…a couple road and bridge closures.

If you plan to cross the Morrison or Broadway bridge or drive through downtown over the next two weekends, you may want to find a new route.

The Morrison Bridge will be closed from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 1 for the Starlight Parade. This closure impacts the off-ramp and on-ramp leading to and from Southwest Naito Parkway will be closed along with all westbound traffic from Southeast Grand Avenue.

However, the Interstate 5 north ramp will still be open to those who need it.

Organizers will begin closing streets around downtown Portland at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 1. The Starlight run will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the parade will begin at 8 p.m.

Those who attend the events are encouraged to bike or take public transportation. Drivers heading through downtown Portland are urged to stay north of Burnside.

A week later, the Broadway Bridge will be closed from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the Grand Floral Parade. This closure will stop all eastbound traffic as well as westbound traffic starting at North Larrabee Avenue.

Multnomah County officials advise planning ahead and using alternative routes if you think you’ll be in these areas during the festivities.