Updated June 2, 2020

The City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services is continuing our work to repair and replace critical sewer and stormwater infrastructure. Environmental Services will continue to provide information and updates on construction schedules and activities during the COVID-19 emergency.

City of Portland Environmental Services and Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) are collaborating on a project to build a viewing platform next to the Springwater Corridor Trail overlooking the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a 170 acre complex of meadows, woodlands and floodplain wetlands located on the east bank of the Willamette River, just upstream from Ross Island. The refuge is owned by the City of Portland and managed by the PP&R’s Land Stewardship Division. The wetlands located at the southern end of the refuge, including Wapato Marsh, are one of the best places in the heart of the City to view resident and migrating birds that either reside in the refuge or visit annually. The area has also been identified as one of the best areas to for improving salmon habitat along the Willamette River within the City of Portland.

This project is a partnership between PP&R and Environmental Services. The viewing platform will provide nature watching opportunities for the public to enjoy on 75 acres of wetland that was restored in 2018 as part of the Oaks Bottom Culvert Replacement Project.

Location

This project is located next to the Springwater Corridor in the southwest portion of the refuge. See image for project location.

Schedule

Due to the COVID-19 emergency, Environmental Services decided to postpone construction on the Oaks Bottom Viewing Platform project in early April 2020. After carefully monitoring the COVID-19 emergency, Environmental Services has allowed our contractor, Faison Construction, to begin construction on Wednesday, June 3. This project is expected to be completed in August 2020.

General construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some Saturday construction as needed.

Pre-construction Activities

Before major construction activity begins, crews will be in the area conducting the following activities to prepare the site.

• Tree Trimming: To accommodate the large equipment needed to complete this project, certified arborists will supervise trimming of trees. The trimming will remove low branches that are overhanging near the project area. This will reduce the possibility of large equipment damaging trees and to help ensure public safety.
• Utility Relocation: Part of this project requires an overhead power line to be permanently relocated underground.
• Other Pre-construction Activities: Before construction you may also see crews surveying, digging small holes to confirm the location of underground utilities and bringing equipment and supplies to the project area. Some equipment and materials will be stored on near the site overnight.

Springwater Corridor Limited to One Lane

Construction will be taking place next to the Springwater Corridor Trail. The Springwater Corridor Trail may need to be narrowed temporarily near the project site to help keep trail users and construction activities safely separated. We do not anticipate limit the trail to one lane until the latter stages of the project. Once it is determined that lanes need to be narrowed to one lane, we will update the public in advance.

When the temporary narrowed lanes take into effect, the Springwater Corridor Trail will remain open at all times during construction, but you may experience delays in and near the work area. Please slowdown in the construction zone and use caution. If you need assistance, a city inspector will be on-site during work hours and may be able to assist you.

What To Expect During Construction

Learn more about the type of activities that will occur during construction by visiting here, www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/constructionimpacts

Keeping You Informed

For the latest project information update, please consider the following options:

• Website: The latest construction schedule and project updates will be posted at: www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/oaksbottom
• Email Updates: To sign up for email updates, email Stefanus.Gunawan@portlandoregon.gov with “Oaks Bottom Viewing Platform” in the subject line.