Biden visit to affect Portland traffic today

Traffic in Portland on Wednesday will be affected by the visit of Vice President Joe Biden.

The Portland Police Bureau reminded motorists that normal traffic, including mass transit, will be affected between 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Biden will arrive from California around midday and hold a private fundraiser followed by a free public rally at the Oregon Convention Center to help Sen. Jeff Merkley with his bid for a second term before heading to Seattle to campaign for Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

Merkley is the front runner against Republican Monica Wehby, a pediatric neurosurgeon from Portland.

Wehby, running as a moderate on social issues and an expert on health care in a state with a troubled rollout of the federal health care law, looked for a time to pose a serious threat to Merkley’s re-election prospects. But a series of Wehby missteps, including allegations she took her health care and economic plans from other Republicans, have helped Merkley solidify his standing.

Biden is on a West Coast tour to promote a minimum wage hike and boost Democratic campaigns as the party tries to maintain control of the Senate. He started his Western trip with a stop in Las Vegas on Monday followed by events in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Bakersfield, Calif., on Tuesday.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the convention center and exercise patience during the motorcade.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.