Empty Highways

I captured these photos in the summer of 2024 during a series of highway closures in the Portland area. One was caused by the construction of a new overpass, while the other was for graffiti removal. I headed out early in the morning to photograph these normally busy roads, now eerily empty and silent.

An empty highway winds through verdant hills toward Portland's downtown skyline, showcasing the Pacific Northwest's blend of urban and natural environments.
The famous Terwilliger Curves section of highway winds through Portland's Hillsdale neighborhood, showcasing the city's integration of transportation infrastructure with its abundant natural landscape.
Traffic flows beneath the Terwilliger Curves overpass in Portland's Hillsdale neighborhood, where Highway 10 crosses this scenic roadway known for its winding path through forested terrain.
Interstate highway approaches downtown Portland, Oregon, with the city's distinctive skyline rising beyond tree-covered hills under a clear blue sky.
The Banfield Freeway sits empty in Portland's Lloyd District, surrounded by dense urban forest and bathed in morning sunlight.
The Banfield Freeway sits empty in Portland's Lloyd District, with downtown buildings visible beyond the tree-lined highway corridor.