Work will begin in summer 2013 to replace a culvert at SE Tacoma Street. The existing four-foot wide culvert restricts fish passage, impedes water flow and contributes to flooding and erosion. The new, 14-foot wide culvert will improve fish passage and stream flow and help reduce flooding.

State regulations require that in-water construction be done in the summer to lessen the impact on migrating fish.

SE Tacoma Street will remain open to traffic in both directions during construction, but pedestrian and bicycle traffic will detour around the project area.

The contractor will do the work in two phases to maintain traffic in both directions during construction. The contractor will temporarily remove on-street parking and sidewalks to allow two lanes of traffic to remain open. Travel lane widths will be reduced and shifted to one side of the street, while half of the culvert is constructed on the other.

The city will install a striped pedestrian crossing on Tacoma and 21st as part of this project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Portland are sharing project costs. Federal funding is authorized under Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act.

In 2014, Environmental Services will construct green street facilities along SE Tacoma Street SE 21st Avenue. The facilities will collect and filter stormwater runoff that currently flows directly into Crystal Springs Creek.

To receive project updates, contact Ronda Fast at 503-823-4921.