Starting July 23, drivers in Washington State will no longer legally be allowed to even hold their cell phones under the new

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Washington's TargetZero text campaign to make drivers more aware of the new cell phone use law.

Texting while driving is already illegal, as is holding a cellphone at the ear. Drivers constantly flout those rules, or evade them by holding a phone between the legs, or just below the chin.

The new bill bans all handheld uses, including "composing or reading any kind of message, picture or data." Taking pictures with a cell phone while driving is also illegal.

Under the new law, drivers also can't use handheld devices while stopped at a red light or stop sign.

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HILLSBORO 8:43 a.m.; Bald Peak Road closed at Campbell Road 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday for removal of contaminated soil from an earlier crash. Use alternate routes.



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NORTHEAST PORTLAND 8:29 a.m.; Stall in the left emergency lane I-5 southbound near Delta Park. Not blocking, but causing slowing.



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BANFIELD 7 a.m.;

Police have closed the 58th Avenue exit from I-84 eastbound due to a two-alarm apartment fire. Also Northeast Glisan Street is blocked from 56th to 62nd avenues.

Update 9:45 a.m.; All ramps to and from I-84 to 53rd Avenue are now open.



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The Historic Columbia River Highway remains closed between Ainsworth and Multnomah Falls for a wildfire burning above the Oneonta Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. ODOT has closed the road and has no estimated time for reopening.

The northbound span sidewalk on the Interstate Bridge is closed 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday for electrical upgrades and maintenance. The southbound span will close 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday for the same work. Pedestrians and bicyclists are asked to use the alternate sidewalk during the work.

Traffic through Washington Park will slow to a crawl 7 a.m.-noon daily through Friday, July 14 and again on Monday, July 17. A large drill rig, a crane and long construction piles are being delivered to the site of the Washington Park Reservoir Project.

The park is still open to travelers, bikes and pedestrians, but expect delays of up to 25 minutes as large trucks will need to maneuver through the park. Streets expected to have the longest backup include Southwest Kingston Drive, Tichner Drive and West Burnside Street.

Watch for flaggers directing traffic and obey all construction signs.

Daily traffic reports

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