Phone: 503-823-5185
Fax: 503-823-7576
1120 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 800, Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503-823-5185
Fax: 503-823-7576
1120 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 800, Portland, OR 97204
Portland has over 50 miles of gravel streets. These streets are not maintained by the city. As a result, there are many streets that are in bad shape with large potholes and ruts. For many years, community members have asked PBOT and the City of Portland to do something about these streets. Paving these streets is very expensive. We estimate that it costs $6.3 million per mile to pave a gravel street. Finding the funding to pay for paving the gravel and other underimproved streets in Portland is a long-term project.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t do something in the meantime. That is why we started the Gravel Streets Service. While this is not a permanent solution, we believe this service will improve the condition on many of the city’s gravel streets.
We will be grading and graveling the street. Our crews will fill in the potholes and ruts and add gravel where it is needed. The new gravel will be graded and compacted with a heavy roller to make the road smooth. We will also shape the road so that water runs off correctly.
Crews will not work on private property; they also won’t work on driveways and shoulder areas.
No, crews will not be performing any drainage work.
*This service is FREE to residents on gravel streets.
The Gravel Streets Service is funded by PBOT’s general transportation funding.
The amount of time our crews will be on your street will depend on the length and condition of your streets. We estimate that each street will take about two days. If your street is longer or in particularly bad shape, it may take longer.
We don’t allow parking for your safety and the safety of our crews. Not having cars on the street also allows our crews to work faster.
Yes. Our crews will maintain access to your home during the project. Talk to one of the crew members, and they will assist you.
Currently property owners who live on gravel streets are responsible for maintaining a portion of the street that is in front of their property to the middle of the street. The Gravel Streets Service does not change this responsibility. PBOT will provide the service once every three years. Between each service, property owners can do work to maintain their portion of the street. They are not required to obtain a permit. Although they do not need a permit, property owners do still need to meet specific conditions in order to maintain the street abutting their property. These conditions are the following:
Please contact the Portland Bureau of Transportation at 503-823-5185.