Traffic on Interstate 5 through Portland’s Rose Quarter is expected to return gradually beginning at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, after crews completed the project’s major construction work more than a week ahead of schedule, the Oregon Department of Transportation said. The improvement project began Sept. 11 and was originally scheduled to continue through Oct. 16. ODOT expects the reopening process to take about 24 hours. Crews still need to stripe southbound lanes and remove barriers and signs before traffic patterns return to normal. The work addressed weakened sections of southbound I-5, replaced bridge joints and repaved portions of the highway. Near the Moda Center, crews removed the concrete surface from an elevated section, repaired the underlying structure and installed a new concrete layer. The earlier finish shortens a construction disruption that brought longer travel times and changed traffic patterns for people driving through the Rose Quarter. ODOT urged drivers to watch for shifting conditions, consider alternate routes and use extra caution around workers while the reopening is underway.