Current Work (3/20/20)

SW Bond Avenue has been open to people walking, biking and scooting, as well as authorized construction and maintenance vehicles, since the ribboncutting ceremony on November 14, 2019. In order for the street to be open to private vehicles, the SW Meade Street Extension must be complete, and parking pay stations must be installed. PBOT anticipates installing parking pay stations in April, and OHSU is expected to complete SW Meade Street in June.

Current Work (10/31/19; go to top of page for latest)

The electrical subcontractor has completed installation of all street lights, signals and associated wiring. The week of November 4, PGE will energize the circuits and allow for testing of the street lights. Also that week and into the week of November 11 (Veterans Day), a landscaping subcontractor will install a basalt column retaining wall adjacent to the knoll at the north end of the project. Meanwhile PBOT crews will install parking meters and a city-owned traffic barricade at the north end of the project, allowing the traffic control subcontractor to demobilize. This barricade will be in place to prevent private motor vehicles from using SW Bond Avenue until OHSU completes the SW Meade Street connection in summer 2020.

It's looking like like people walking, biking, rolling and scooting will have legal access to SW Bond Avenue starting on Thursday, November 14. A ribboncutting ceremony will be held at 10:00am with officials from PBOT, Prosper Portland, OHSU and Business Oregon. Stay tuned for a press release from PBOT Communications.

Current Work (from 9/27/19; go to top of page for latest)

We're almost done! This week and next week electrical subcontractor MAK Electric is installing the South Waterfront-style permanent signal and light poles, attaching cobra-style lights to the interim wood poles, and connecting and testing electrical power. The week of October 14, a different subcontractor will be constructing a basalt rock retaining wall adjacent to the landscaped knoll in South Waterfront Greenway park. Other items being scheduled include installing parking meters and setting up non-contract traffic barriers at the north end of Bond Ave for the upcoming time period when Bond Ave will be open to people walking, biking and scooting, but not people in private vehicles. This period will last until mid-2020 when OHSU's SW Meade Street Extension project is completed, at which point both streets will be open to vehicular traffic (except between Meade Street and Tilikum Crossing, which will remain car-free for the foreseeable future).

We anticipate announcing an opening date as well as an opening ceremony in the next few weeks.

Current Work (from 7/26/19; go to top of page for latest)

The SW Bond Avenue Extension project is substantially complete; however an electrical issue is preventing PBOT from opening the street to the public. The street lights cannot receive electrical power until a wiring connection is made to an existing junction box on SW Meade Street near the OHSU Robertson Life Sciences Building. This underground connection was anticipated to be in place as part of OHSU's SW Meade Street Extension project. However, that project is delayed and may not be complete until 2020.

In the interim period, PBOT is working with OHSU to create an overhead wiring connection to the SW Bond Avenue street lights. We hope to have that connection installed before the end of this summer so we can open SW Bond Avenue to people walking, bicycling, scooting and using mobility devices. PBOT does not want to open the street without street lights due to safety and security concerns, and nightly closures would require excessive labor costs. As soon as have an an opening date for SW Bond Avenue, we will report it here. Please do not enter the project area!

The SW Bond Avenue Extension will not be open to motor vehicle traffic until SW Meade Street is complete in 2020. At that time, vehicles will be able to access only the portion of SW Bond Avenue from SW Meade Street northward. Traffic will be bi-directional and metered parking will be available.

Current Work (from 6/6/19; go to top of page for latest)

All roadway, biking and walking surfaces are now paved with asphalt or concrete, and all street trees are installed. Work this week has included installing fences and landscaping, and laying our markings for striping.

Anticipated Work

The week of June 10 will be largely defined by striping activities, including roadway centerline, marked crosswalks on the Tilikum Crossing, and the 6-foot-wide green bike lane. Some of the lighting and signal poles are on backorder and will arrive later in the summer for installation. PBOT is working with OHSU on electrical connections to power the street lights. Soon we hope to announce an opening date for people walking, jogging, biking, scooting and using mobility devices.

 Current Work (from 5/3/19; go to top of page for latest)

Roadway paving of SW Bond Avenue and parts of the 2100 block of SW River Parkway will occur next week, starting the morning of Monday, May 6 and ending as late as Friday, May 10. Some traffic and access impacts are expected for the 2100 SW River Parkway office building and the Marriott Residence Inn. While we have communicated these impacts to affected properties and their tenants, and the street will remain open, we nevertheless encourage the traveling public to avoid driving on the 2100 block of SW River Parkway next week. Access by Portland Streetcar, MAX Orange Line, walking, biking and e-scooter will remain very good options, especially with continued nice weather forecast for next week.

The pedestrian/bicycle detour on Tilikum Crossing also is expected to end by Friday, May 10.

We thank South Waterfront residents, businesses, employees and travelers for their patience during what will be a busy week on the SW Bond Avenue Extension project.

Anticipated Work

After paving is complete next week, work will transition to final details including striping, signage, tree planting, landscaping, and fencing. Substantial completion of the project is anticipated in July. The road will open to the public in phases, with pedestrian, bicycle and e-scooter traffic able to use the road first. Motor vehicles will not be able to access the SW Bond Avenue extension until OHSU completes the SW Meade Street extension toward the end of the year.

 Current Work (from 4/25/19; go to top of page for latest)

PBOT's contractor has been busy demolishing and reconfiguring the intersection of SW Bond Avenue and SW Porter Street at the west end of Tilikum Crossing. Due to some minor complexities encountered while cutting into the structure, the contractor will need two extra days to work on the north side of the intersection. This means the closure of the north side pedestrian/bicycle path will last through the evening of Tuesday, April 30. On the morning of Wednesday, May 1, work will shift to the south side of the intersection, and all Tilikum Crossing pathway users will switch to the north side of the bridge. Detour signs and barriers will indicate the new pattern, and a flagger will be present on the first day or two. Please exercise caution and be aware of bi-directional walking, biking, rolling and scooting while using the bridge and its approaches. The total duration of pathway closures is still expected to adhere to the original schedule, wrapping up on Friday, May 10. We expect that Tilikum Crossing pedestrian/bicycle operations will be back to normal on Saturday, May 11, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

In other areas of the project, the contractor has poured nearly all asphalt and concrete walkways and bikeways, and is compacting the roadway base in anticipating of paving. Street lighting and stormwater gardens are being installed as well.

Anticipated Work

Weather permitting, paving of the main roadway is scheduled to begin Thursday, May 2 and last one week. Work will then transition to final details including striping, signage, tree planting, landscaping, and fencing. Substantial completion of the project is anticipated in July. The road will open to the public in phases, with pedestrian, bicycle and e-scooter traffic able to use the road first. This is dependent upon being able to energize the street lights and install barriers that prevent motor vehicle entry and ensure security of the OHSU construction site. The lighting power source is on SW Meade Street and we are determining how to get interim power while Meade is under construction by a different entity (OHSU). Motor vehicles will not be able to access the SW Bond Avenue extension until OHSU completes the SW Meade Street extension toward the end of the year.

 Current Work (from 4/11/19; go to top of page for latest)

Starting Monday, April 15, the pedestrian/ bicycle path on the north side of Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, will be closed for two weeks, followed by a two-week closure of the south side path. People walking and cycling in both directions on Tilikum Crossing will share the south side path between OMSI/SE Water and South Waterfront/SW Moody MAX stations April 15 through April 26, then share the north side path April 29 through May 10. These dates are subject to change.

The closures will allow PBOT’s contractor Goodfellow Bros, Inc. to connect SW Bond Avenue to Tilikum Crossing / SW Porter Street. Work will include demolishing and replacing concrete walkways and bikeways, handrails, electrical conduits, striping, signage and signal equipment. Periodic night work will allow TriMet and Portland Streetcar services to continue without disruption.

We ask the public to travel cautiously, observe all construction signage, and use alternate routes if possible (such as the Hawthorne Bridge). Portions of this work are weather-dependent and the schedule may change.

Elsewhere on the project, most underground utility installation is compete, and most concrete curbs and gutters have been poured.

Anticipated Work

In coming weeks the contractor will be installing an additional row of gravity blocks along the elevated segment between Meade and Porter Streets in order to provide an improved barrier at the back of the sidewalk. Sidewalk pouring will occur subsequently. Paving of the roadway, bikeway and interim walkways is scheduled for mid to late May. Substantial completion of the Bond Avenue Extension is anticipated in July. However, opening the street to the public will depend on progress of the adjacent SW Meade Street project being constructed by OHSU. We will provide an anticipated opening date as soon as we have better information.

Current Work (from 3/12/19; go to top of page for latest)

The contractor is installing underground utilities including the public water main, stormwater conveyance pipes, stormwater manholes, and duct banks for street light wiring and communications. The contractor also is forming and pouring curb, gutter and sidewalk. Light poles and luminaires are onsite and ready to install. Most of the Bond Avenue Extension will feature interim wood pole lighting, to be replaced with ornamental fixtures upon future redevelopment of adjacent property.

Anticipated Work

From April 15 through May 8, the contractor will connect Bond Avenue to Porter Street (the west end of Tilikum Crossing). This will require temporary closures of the multi-use paths on Tilikum Crossing - one at a time. The north side path will be closed for 15 days, from April 15 through 28. The south side path will be closed for 10 days, from April 29 through May 8. In addition, some night work will be necessary to avoid disrupting transit operations. PBOT and Goodfellow Brothers, Inc. are working closely with TriMet on these closures and will provide additional detail as it approaches. Substantial completion of the Bond Avenue Extension is anticipated in July.

Current Work (from 2/12/19; go to top of page for latest)

Contaminated soil removal and clean fill backfill is complete under the Marquam Bridge. This means the entire SW Bond Avenue corridor from Tilikum Crossing to River Parkway is now clean and safe for workers to move onto the next stage of work: utility installation. The contractor has begun installing water mains, stormwater conveyance pipes, communication duct banks, and underground electric to power street lights. This work will continue through the end of March.

Anticipated Work

While utility installation proceeds through the end of winter, the contractor will begin pouring curb, gutter and sidewalk. From April 15 through May 8, the contractor will connect Bond Avenue to Porter Street (the west end of Tilikum Crossing). This will require temporary closures of the multi-use paths on Tilikum Crossing - one at a time. The north side path will be closed for ten business days, from April 15 through 28. The south side path will be closed for seven business days, from April 29 through May 8. In addition, some night work will be necessary to avoid disrupting transit operations. PBOT and Goodfellow Brothers, Inc. are working closely with TriMet on these closures and will provide additional detail as it approaches. Substantial completion of the Bond Avenue Extension is anticipated in July.

Current Work (from 1/15/19; go to top of page for latest)

Environmental remediation under the Marquam Bridge is nearly complete. All soil and debris that was deemed “hazardous” has been delivered to the Waste Management landfill near Arlington, Oregon, for proper disposal. Lower-level contaminated soil removal will be completed within the next week. All areas that had soil removed have had a plastic contaminant barrier installed and filled to grade with a clean sand mixture (see pic above). The Marriott and David Evans driveway entrances on the south side of River Parkway are being reconstructed and will be fully operational on Tuesday, January 22. Overhead and underground PGE electrical lines are in the process of being relocated.

Anticipated Work

Starting in late January and continuing into the spring, the contractor will install underground utilities including communication and street lighting conduits, storm sewer and water line. Concurrently in late winter and spring the contractor will pour concrete and asphalt sidewalks and install the roadway base.

Late spring and early summer will focus on the connection to Tilikum Crossing, including some temporary closures of the multi-use paths on Tilikum Crossing (one side at a time, with two-way pedestrian/bicycle traffic sharing one side of the bridge during these periods). PBOT and TriMet will provide advance notice of this activity, which is tentatively scheduled for June.

Overall project completion is anticipated in September 2019.

Current Work (from 12/17/18; go to top of page for latest)

The next construction phase of the SW Bond Avenue Extension Project between SW River Parkway and Tilikum Crossing begins on Monday, December 17, consisting of contaminated soil removal, utility installation and roadway construction. The previous phase of the project - constructing retaining walls and fill embankments - wrapped up in October 2018.

PBOT contractor Goodfellow Bros. has mobilized underneath the Marquam Bridge and PBOT has issued Notice to Proceed for this next phase of work. Through the December holidays and into January, the contractor will be removing contaminated soil from the area underneath the Marquam Bridge and River Parkway cul-de-sac. This soil removal is necessary to ensure that underground utilities and paved surfaces are installed with clean fill dirt to protect workers and the general public, now and into the future. Contaminated soil will be hauled in covered dumptrucks to off-site landfills that are licensed to safely dispose of said material, which is contaminated primarily with lead. The contractor will employ best practices in safe disposal, and their work will be inspected by PBOT, the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Traffic at the end of SW River Parkway will be slightly rerouted within the block for most of the project, but access will be maintained to the Marriott parking garage, David Evans / OIA parking lot, and pedestrian entrances to buildings. Flaggers may be needed at times to ensure the the safety of the travelling public and project workers. The contractor will need to remove the landscaped median in River Parkway and disconnect irrigation systems in the adjacent Greenway Park. These features will be reestablished later in the project.

Current Work (from 6/22/18; go to top of page for latest)

PBOT’s contractor, McDonald Excavating, Inc., has remobilized and removed the surcharge material from the roadway corridor. The surcharge material, a granular all-weather fill product including sand and gravel, sat for 8 months over the fall, winter and spring to force the roadway to settle and compact and avoid future settlement. The contractor is now constructing the gap area between Meade Street and Porter Street (Tilikum Crossing). This area must be primarily constructed of lightweight fill in order to eliminate impacts on the Tilikum bridge approach. Low density cellular concrete (LDCC) is the chosen material for this segment, and workers have been pouring it into the area via hose connected to an on-site batch plant (see photo above). The next work item is to install the tops of the retaining walls, which will be constructed of precast “bench blocks” and poured concrete coping. The surcharge / retaining wall work is anticipated to be complete by the end of this summer.

Anticipated Work 

Current Work (from 5/25/18, go to top of page for latest)

PBOT’s contractor, McDonald Excavating, Inc., has remobilized and is removing the surcharge material from the roadway corridor. The surcharge material, a granular all-weather fill project, sat for 8 months over the fall, winter and spring to force the roadway to settle and compact and avoid future settlement. The contractor is also constructing the gap area between Meade Street and Porter Street (Tilikum Crossing). This area must be constructed of lightweight fill in order to eliminate impacts on the Tilikum bridge approach. The surcharge / retaining wall work is anticipated to be complete by the end of this summer.

Anticipated Work 

Current Work (from 7/6/17, go to top of page for latest)

PBOT’s contractor, McDonald Excavating, Inc., is placing UltraBlock retaining walls and importing fill to construct and “surcharge” the elevated roadway. Surcharge, also called pre-consolidation, is the process of placing extra fill material and allowing it to settle over a period of time in order to minimize the risk of future road settlement. Wall and surcharge construction will continue until October 2017, followed by an eight-month settlement period.

Anticipated Work 

Current Work (from 4/6/17, go to top of page for latest)

OHSU contractor is excavating contaminated soil, replacing with clean fill and establishing contaminant barriers and/or demarcation layers throughout the Bond Avenue corridor on OHSU property. The purpose of this work is to meet city requirements for a “clean zone” for utilities and retaining wall footings underneath the future roadway. The work also satisfies an Oregon Department of Environmental Quality consent decree that applies to the property and determines the specifications of the contaminant barrier. This environmental work is anticipated to be complete by May 12.

Anticipated Work 

Starting in mid- to late May 2017 PBOT’s contractor will begin constructing retaining walls and placing fill dirt for elevated portions for SW Bond Avenue. Fill must be applied in layers and allowed to settle over a period of eight months to one year in order to minimize the risk of future road settlement. This process is known as surcharge or pre-consolidation and will last through the rest of 2017 and into spring 2018. In fall 2017, utility relocation and environmental remediation work will take place under the Marquam Bridge to make way for the Bond Avenue connection to the existing River Parkway cul-de-sac.

OHSU contractor is filling in old stormwater pipes and performing environmental remediation work on OHSU property to prepare the Bond Avenue corridor for road construction.

Anticipated Work 

Starting in February 2017 PBOT contractor will begin constructing retaining walls and placing fill dirt for elevated portions for SW Bond Avenue. Fill must be applied in layers and allowed to settle over a period of eight months to one year in order to minimize the risk of future road settlement. This process is known as surcharge or pre-consolidation and will last throughout 2017. In summer 2017, utility relocation and environmental remediation work will take place under the Marquam Bridge to make way for the Bond Avenue connection to the existing River Parkway cul-de-sac.

OHSU contractors are constructing a haul road under the Marquam Bridge that will allow OHSU, PBOT and their respective contractors to access the Bond Avenue and Knight Cancer Research Building construction sites. Parking lots on the south side of SW River Parkway will remain open, though flaggers may occasionally be on site to direct traffic here. Users of the parking lots are advised to be aware of truck traffic and exercise extra caution.

Anticipated Work 

In summer/fall 2016 workers will be removing contaminated soil in locations where SW Bond Avenue Phase 1 will be built. This work will be performed by OHSU contractors and overseen by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Increased truck traffic can be expected on SW River Parkway in the RiverPlace area, but no closures are planned.

Starting in winter 2016-17 workers will begin constructing retaining walls and placing fill dirt for elevated portions for SW Bond Avenue. Fill must be applied in layers and allowed to settle over a period of eight months to one year in order to minimize the risk of future road settlement. This process is known as surcharge or pre-consolidation.

Major road construction will take place in 2018 and is scheduled for completion in October 2018. This page will be updated periodically as construction progresses.