September 2009
Green street construction on SE Ankeny - 9/8/09
Free stormwater retrofit workshop - 9/8/09
Springwater Corridor Trail detour in October - 9/16/09
City recommends caution for recreational river use - 9/17/09
Green street construction on SE Ankeny
September 8, 2009
Green street construction starts today at the intersection of SE Ankeny Street and SE 16th Avenue. The project will restrict traffic to one lane in work areas between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. Construction will move east on Ankeny to SE 20th Avenue over the next two months. Green streets are vegetated curb extensions or streetside planters that collect stormwater runoff.
Sewer construction is also reducing daytime traffic on East Burnside Street to one lane in each direction at SE 15th Avenue. The lane restrictions are in place during work hours, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and possibly the same hours on Saturdays. All four lanes are open to traffic after work hours.
The lane restrictions on East Burnside will be in place for several weeks as construction moves east from 15th to SE 21st Avenue. Motorists should expect delays and consider using alternate routes.
Free stormwater retrofit workshop
September 8, 2009
The City of Portland holds free workshops for residents on how to manage stormwater on their property. The workshops cover site assessment; how to choose, install and maintain stormwater facilities; any necessary permits; and financial incentives.
Stormwater Retrofit Workshop
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
St. Philip Neri Church, St. Johns Room
2407 SE 16th Ave
Get more information at www.CleanRiverRewards.com or call 503-823-1371.
Springwater Corridor Trail detour in October
September 16, 2009
A temporary detour will begin on the Springwater Corridor Trail at the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge on Monday, October 5. The detour will be in place from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays to allow for soil testing activities. The trail will be open after work hours and on weekends. The work will last through Wednesday, October 14.
During work hours, bikes and pedestrians will be routed a few feet off the trail for about 75 feet at Oaks Bottom, just north of the Oaks Amusement Park. Bicyclists will have to walk their bikes through the work area and flaggers will ensure safe passage for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The contractor will use the trail to move soil testing vehicles and equipment each weekday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., and again from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Trail users will not be allowed to pass the vehicles while they are in motion and should expect delays. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask that you plan accordingly during this time.
The detour will allow geotechnical investigations for the design of the Oaks Bottom Habitat Enhancement Project. The project, which starts in 2011, will remove fish passage barriers and enhance fish habitat.
This is work is not related to sewer construction about two miles south that has closed the Springwater Corridor Trail between SE Spokane and SE Umatilla streets.
For more information about the detour at Oaks Bottom and the Oaks Bottom Habitat Enhancement Project, call Anne Nelson at 503-823-2584.
City recommends caution for recreational river use
September 17, 2009
Due to the most recent rainstorm, Portland’s combined sewers have overflowed. Portland's Environmental Services advises the public against any recreational activity in the Willamette River during which water could be swallowed.
The public should avoid the Willamette River for 48 hours after the rain has stopped. It is especially important to avoid recreational activities–such as water skiing, jet skiing or swimming–during which water could be swallowed. While health risks from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are unknown, Environmental Services takes these precautions to protect the public health.
People who fish should wash their hands following contact with the water. Those who choose to eat fish caught in the Willamette River should cook them thoroughly to kill bacteria.
In many areas of Portland, sewage mixes with stormwater runoff in a combined sewer system. When the combined sewer system receives too much runoff, it overflows into the Willamette River. CSOs are contaminated with bacteria from untreated sewage.
Portland is in the 18th year of a 20-year program to improve the city's sewer system. Until the program is complete, overflows of untreated sewage and stormwater will occur during rainstorms, although as the program progresses, CSO volume and the number of outfall pipes that overflow are diminishing.
For more information, contact Linc Mann at 503-823-5328.