Project Area
This illustrative map shows the boundaries of the project area, specific work zones, and construction methods that will be used to perform sewer upgrades for the Hillsdale North Sewer Project.
Schedule
Environmental Services will pause the Hillsdale North Project Sewer Project after the final design plans are complete this November. We anticipate the project starting up again in 2029 when we’ll review the design plans and prepare for construction.
What's Happening Now
Due to funding challenges, we are now prioritizing work that is critical for life safety, property protection, and economic vitality. This includes expanding the wastewater treatment plant on N Columbia Boulevard and a focusing our resources on infrastructure that serves large numbers of people, such as pump stations, force mains, and large diameter pipes.
Staff will continue to repair urgent sewer and stormwater issues as they arise. If your basement sewer backs up or your property or street floods, please report it immediately to the City’s Maintenance Operations hotline at 503-823-1700. It is staffed 24/7, at all hours and all days.
Night Work Proposed
Engineers have identified multiple locations that will likely require night work (see map). Due to the length and diameter of a few pipes, and traffic safety reasons, some of the work will extend a few hours beyond 6:00 p.m. or will need to be done overnight.
Equipment that generates noise will include sewer cleaning trucks, compressors, light trucks, generators, pumps, and ventilation fans. Night work will also require lighting of the work zone.
Construction Methods
This project will include both trenchless and trench excavation methods:
- Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD): A trenchless method of sewer construction. It is suitable for soft to hard clays, wet soils, and environmentally sensitive areas. This method avoids having to dig large pits to install jacking and boring machines.
- Open Trench Excavation: The contractor digs a trench, installs a new pipe, fills in the trench, and restores the patched trench with new pavement.
- Pipe Lining (CIPP): Through a maintenance hole, the contractor inserts a flexible liner into the existing pipe. The liner hardens to seal cracks and form a new smooth pipe.
- Pipe Bursting: The contractor pushes a bursting head into the sewer line to break apart the existing pipe while pulling a new pipe into place behind it.
Visit the Construction Methods webpage for more details and photos of construction methods.
Public and Private Property Access
Most information-gathering activities will occur in the public right-of-way. The public right-of-way includes the street, sidewalks, planting strips, and sometimes undeveloped areas like yards or gravel spaces. In the Hillsdale neighborhood, the public right-of-way often extends well into what appears to be private property, including what can appear to be private front lawns. Crews will be accessing these areas to inspect, maintain, and repair public sewer pipes and manholes.
Public Sewer Easements
In addition, where the city has public sewer easements, crews may need to access private property for survey, other information-gathering activities, and eventual possible sewer repairs. City outreach staff will coordinate with affected property owners for access to public sewer pipes and manholes.
Project Background
This project is part of a series of large-scale sewer projects that have, or will be occurring, in the Hillsdale neighborhood. The Hillsdale South Sewer Project finished construction in January 2021, and the Hillsdale Middle and Hillsdale NW projects are currently in the design phase.
Sign Up for Updates
Sign up for regular updates for the Hillsdale North Sewer project.