Project Area
This project is taking place in the Northern section of the Hillsdale neighborhood. Pipes in need of repair are located in streets, yards, and natural areas. Many of the streets are narrow or steep, which can create access challenges during construction. Environmental Services will work with neighbors and businesses in the area to help reduce impacts during construction.
Construction Schedule
Design work will continue through summer 2025 and then pause. Construction is anticipated in 2029. We will continue to provide reliable sewer and stormwater service to our communities and protect public health and the environment during the pause.
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.
What's Happening Now
Soil sampling is necessary to get more information about what is happening underneath the surface of the road, such as soil stability and what crews may encounter when doing the sewer repairs. At each location, crews will dig small holes in the street pavement and collect samples. When soil sampling is complete, crews will fill the holes. This helps guide future design plans and construction methods. Soil sampling will take a few hours in each location to complete.
Soil Sampling Locations
Soil sampling will begin in late August and happen during daytime hours at the following locations:
- SW Capitol Highway at SW Cheltenham Street
- SW Cheltenham Street at SW Dewitt Street
- SW Westwood Court at SW 14th Avenue
- SW Westwood Drive and SW Westwood View
- SW Hessler Drive near the 1300 block
- SW Northwood Avenue at SW Westwood Drive
- SW Fairmount Boulevard at SW 19th Avenue (requires single lane closure)
- SW Fairmount Boulevard near the 3100 block
- SW Council Crest Drive at SW Bernard Drive
- SW Fairmount Boulevard at SW Seymour Street
- SW 18th Place near the 4700 block
- SW Hamilton Court at SW 27th Avenue
- SW Washouga Avenue at SW Twombly Avenue
- SW Melville Avenue near the 4300 block
Information-gathering activities typically occur over time, rather than all at once. Visit the Preconstruction Activities webpage for a description of activities that occur before the sewer work can take place.
What to Expect During Soil Sampling
This work may require temporary lane restrictions and on-street parking closures. There may be brief periods of noise, dust, and mild vibration during drilling. Work at each location will last approximately two to four hours.
Public Right-of-Way 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 maintenance holes.
Public Sewer Easements and Private Property
In addition to public right-of-way access, there are multiple locations where the city has public sewer easements and where sewer easements do not exist. 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 and tenants for access to public sewer pipes and maintenance holes.
Sewer History
Due to the topography and layout of the Hillsdale neighborhood many sewer pipes that were built in the 1920's were constructed with the shortest and often easiest route to the river, where the sewer system ended. This means that many of the sewer pipes in your neighborhood cross through private property or along ravines and creeks that make their way towards the Willamette River. Thanks to the Big Pipe Project, sewage is now diverted away from the river and overflows are rare.
Sign Up for Updates
Sign up for periodic email or text message updates for the Hillsdale Northwest Project through our free GovDelivery subscription service. These updates are the best way to stay informed about what’s happening and what to expect. You can also sign up for bulletins on other projects and topics.