Updated March 13, 2019

Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services and Bureau of Transportation are working in collaboration on a street, stormwater, and sewer improvement project in southeast Portland. This project will improve safety and accessibility of travel while also improving stormwater management and the public sewer system to help protect water quality in local creeks and streams. Working together ensures successful outcomes on plans and projects – including reduced costs, improved efficiency, and enhanced service delivery to customers.

To minimize construction impacts on the public and avoid digging up the street twice, Environmental Services will construct public sewer improvements this summer in advance of the street and stormwater improvements.

The SE Mill Street Sewer Replacement Project will replace and upsize 629 feet of public sewer pipes in SE Mill Street between SE 80th and SE 82nd avenues. The project will also construct two manholes, repair a third manhole, and replace several service laterals that connect private properties to the public sewer. This sewer project will protect public health and the environment by reducing the possibility of sewage releases to buildings and streets.

Location

Sewer construction will occur in SE Mill Street between SE 80th and SE 82nd avenues.

Schedule

Environmental Services will begin constructing public sewer improvements in July and take up to three months to complete the work. The Portland Bureau of Transportation will then construct the street, sidewalk, and stormwater improvements. For Transportation's schedule, contact Mimi Phillips at 503-823-3462 or email Mimi.

Environmental Services is currently finalizing design and preparing for the contractor bid and selection process, which will continue into June 2019. When the contract is finalized, the contractor will prepare to mobilize crews for construction. We will notify the public before construction is expected to begin.

Work Hours Include Night Work in 82nd Ave

General construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday as needed. To minimize traffic impacts, the Portland Noise Office granted Environmental Services a noise variance to work at night in the intersection of SE 82nd Avenue. Night work will be from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, and may last up to two weeks.

Construction Methods

The construction contractor will use open trench excavation to replace mainline sewer pipes, service laterals, and manholes. This  method involves excavating down to and exposing the existing pipe so that it can be replaced. For more details and photos about this method, click here.

After replacing the sewer pipes, crews will backfill the trenches and apply temporary asphalt patches. After all work has passed inspection, crews will return to restore the patched trenches with final paving. Crews will grind down the temporary asphalt patches to remove any cracks, ruts, and imperfections. Then they will place a two-inch layer of asphalt paving on top of the surface to fill any holes and level it off. The broad trenches where crews had to dig in the street will have a fresh new asphalt surface.

Sign Up for Email Updates

During sewer construction, Environmental Services will provide regular project updates through email. Updates will include information on the schedule, work hours, traffic controls, and other things to expect during construction. We encourage you to sign up now for emailed sewer construction updates by clicking the SIGN UP button above or by emailing Cheryl Kuck with "SE Mill" in the subject line.

For More Information

Environmental Services strives to keep residents and businesses informed about construction projects. If you would like more information about the sewer replacement project or have questions and concerns you’d like to discuss, please call or email:

Cheryl Kuck
Community Outreach
Phone: 503-823-7898
Email: Cheryl.Kuck@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 (SE Mill Street) in your voicemail and email so we can provide you more details about what to expect in front of your property. Also, please write "SE Mill" 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.

If you have a concern or question about the Portland Bureau of Transportation's Local Improvement District (LID) Project, contact Mimi Phillips at 503-823-3462 or email Mimi.