Updated January 11, 2019

Environmental Services is constructing a project to repair up to 7,700 feet, or almost one and a half miles, of public sewers in the Portsmouth and University Park neighborhoods. Many of the existing sewer pipes are 80 years old and in deteriorating condition. This project is one of many that will protect the public and the environment by reducing the possibility of sewage releases to homes, businesses and streets.

Construction Schedule

Construction activities began in November 2018 and the entire project will take about a year and a half to complete. Depending on the location and construction method, work could last up to a month or more in one area.

February 2019 Work Schedule

N Willamette Blvd on private property

•  A spot repair (minor repair on a section of pipe). This work will take a couple of days, but crews will return in the future to line the entire pipe on the public sewer easement between N Willamette Blvd and N Amherst St.

N Willamette between N Menlo and N Wellesley

•  A spot repair and manhole improvements midway and off street (north of sidewalk). New manhole installed at N Wellesley and Willamette. This work will take a couple of days and crews will return in the future to line the entire pipe between N Menlo and Wellesley.

N Willamette Blvd Alley between N Fiske and N Olin

• A spot repair and new sewer connection to property that should take about a day to construct. Crews will return at a later date to line the pipe between Fiske and Olin.

N Willamette Blvd Alley between N Fiske and N Haven

• Install new manhole at N Fiske and new sewer mainline with new sewer connections to properties and installation of new cleanout. This work will take about a week to complete.

N Newman between N Stafford and N Amherst

• Crews will be replacing the sewer mainline using the pipe bursting method and connecting the sewer connections to properties. This work will take about a week to complete.

Work schedules may fluctuate due to weather, conditions underground, traffic impacts, subcontractor schedules, and availability of materials. There may be periods of inactivity at each location.

Construction Methods

The city uses many construction methods to repair or replace sewer pipes. In your area, the city plans to use Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining (CIPP), Open Trench Excavation, and Pipe Bursting.  To learn more about each of these constructions methods and what can be expected during construction, go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/methods. 

What to Expect During Construction

Beginning mid-November, you may see crews working in your neighborhood. Activities could include documenting pipe conditions via video cameras; equipment use and storage; noise, vibration and dust; traffic delays, and parking restrictions. To learn more about what to expect during construction go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/constructionimpacts. 

Work Hours

Regular work hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays as needed. The Portland Noise Office granted Environmental Services a Noise Variance to enable the city’s contractors to work at night to complete work at the locations proposed on the map. Night work reduces traffic congestion, creates a safer work zone, and in some locations, will allow sufficient time for a new sewer pipe lining to harden.

Keeping You Informed

The city’s goal is to keep businesses and residents informed before and during construction. The latest project information is available in several ways:

• Mailings: Project updates will be mailed throughout project construction.
• Website: As it becomes available, the latest construction schedule and project updates will be posted at: www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/PortsmouthUPark.
• Email Updates: To sign up for email updates, email April at April@jla.us.com with “Portsmouth-University Park” in the subject line. If you include your address, we can provide you with specific construction information about your location.

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:

Debbie Caselton 
Community Outreach 
Phone: 503-823-2831
Email: Debbie.Caselton@portlandoregon.gov

- OR-

April Hasson
Community Outreach with JLA Public Involvement on behalf of Environmental Services
Phone: 503-235-5881
Email: April@jla.us.com

Please include your name, property address and project name (Portsmouth-University Park) in your voicemail and email so we can provide you more details about what to expect in front of your property. Also, please write "Portsmouth-University Park" in the subject line of your email. Click SIGN UP! to sign up for periodic email updates.