Updated January 17, 2019

Environmental Services has begun construction on a project to repair or replace about 16,331 feet (over three miles) of 100-year-old public sewer pipes in the Montavilla Neighborhood, north of Stark Street, that are deteriorating due to age. The project will also install 15 new manholes, repair 72 manholes, and replace 221 public sewer connections to private properties. This investment in your neighborhood will ensure continued dependable sewer service and protect the public and our environment by reducing the possibility of sewage releases to homes, businesses, and streets.

LOCATION

The map below shows the pipe work locations and construction methods for Montavilla North.

SCHEDULE

The construction contractor for Montavilla North will be Landis & Landis. Construction will have several phases and is anticipated to take about 10 months to complete. 

• Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday.  There may also be work during the same hours on Saturdays and some night work necessary during this project.
• Prior to construction starting, there will be activity in the neighborhood.  Crews will be in the area to videotape inspect, and clean sewer lines, mark utility locations on the street and sidewalks, trim trees and install tree protection and install erosion control measures. Some equipment and supplies may also be moved in to the area.

*Please be aware that schedules are subject to change due to a variety of factors, including conditions underground, weather, traffic impacts and subcontractor and materials availability.

Another project in the Montavilla Neighborhood, south of Stark Street, is in construction. The two projects will be constructed separately by two different contractors. For more information about the Montavilla South project, click here.

January 17 – January 25

• NE 69th Avenue, north of NE Flanders Street – Install public lateral lines
• NE 69th Avenue, south of NE Oregon Street – Construct sewer mainline, install public lateral lines

Tentative Scheduled Work

• NE Hassalo Street, west of NE 69th Avenue – Construct sewer mainline, install public lateral lines
• NE 70th Avenue, south of NE Multnomah Street – Construct sewer mainline

DID YOU KNOW?

Schedule changes and periods of inactivity can happen during construction.
Schedule changes occur due to a variety of factors, including conditions underground, weather, traffic impacts, subcontractor schedules and availability of materials.

Work can occur again in the same place even if it appeared to be finished.
Inspectors review videos of pipes after they have been repaired. In some cases, they may not pass inspection and may need additional work to adjust and repair them.

Paving after sewer projects is limited to replacing areas of roadway removed for construction.
Most often, this means patching trenches we excavate to install sewer pipe. Occasionally, the footprint for sewer replacement work can become larger due to underground conditions or other circumstances. In those cases, the scope of our paving grows, as needed, to produce a structurally sound and functional roadway – not to address previous wear and tear such as pre-existing potholes or cracks. City staff takes photos of all streets, curbs, driveways, retaining walls and sidewalks before construction to document pre-construction conditions.

Temporary pavement is used to patch trenches to make sure the street is useable as soon as possible.
This temporary pavement can be rough and uneven, and it may remain in place for an extended period. Periods of inactivity ranging from a few weeks to a few months are common between completing repairs and final permanent pavement restoration. You may not receive notice of the permanent paving because it is based on unpredictable availability of subcontractors, materials, and appropriate weather.

Environmental Services applied for and was granted a noise variance by the Portland Noise Office to allow open trench work and cured-in-place-pipe lining (CIPP) at the following locations:

• four nights on E Burnside Street between SE 68th and 69th Avenues
• three nights at the intersection of NE Halsey Street and NE 71st Avenue

A variance is required when work occurs outside normal construction hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. This includes all work after 6 p.m. and before 7 a.m., Monday through Saturday, and all hours on Sunday.

To report a concern about nighttime construction noise, call or email the Portland Noise Office at 503-823-7350.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

As soon as mid-June, crews may be in the neighborhood preparing for construction:

• Pipe and manhole inspections to verify conditions, which may potentially change construction methods at some locations
• Tree trimming to protect trees from large equipment
• Equipment staging and traffic control setup to secure safe work zones
• Street pavement inspections to document pre-existing conditions
• Utility locates to identify underground utilities

These activities typically occur over time, rather than all at once. To learn more and see photos, click here.

CONSTRUCTION METHODS

The city's contractor may use several different methods of construction to replace or repair sewer pipes. This project will include cured-in-place-pipe lining (CIPP), pipebursting, and open trench excavation. After the contractor inspects the pipes to determine existing conditions, they may decide to change construction methods at some locations.

The project also includes replacing some manholes, storm drains, and sewer service laterals that connect homes and businesses to the public sewer from the sewer main line in the street to the curb.

To learn more about sewer construction methods and to view photos, click here.  

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION

For more information about what to expect during construction, click here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you would like more information about the project or have questions and concerns you’d like to discuss, please call or email:

Stefanus Gunawan
Community Outreach
Phone: 503-823-5759
Email: Stefanus.Gunawan@portlandoregon.gov

If you have a concern or question about a pipe repair near you, please be sure to include your name, property address and project name (Montavilla North) in your voicemail and email so we can provide you more details about what to expect in front of your property. Also, please write "Montavilla North" in the subject line of your email. Click SIGN UP to sign up for periodic email updates about the schedule, construction activities, possible traffic detours and delays, parking restrictions, and other impacts.

•        Construct sewer mainline, install public lateral lines