Project Location
The general project boundaries are I-405 in the north, I-5 to the east, SW Bancroft to the south, and SW Terwilliger Blvd to the west.
What's happening now?
Environmental Services - your sewer and stormwater utility - is continuing to design a project in the Lair Hill area. This project will repair or place more than two miles of public sewer pipe that is in deteriorated condition. It will also add new pipes to connect properties without a direct connection to the sewer system. We will also be replacing the sewer main beneath Corbett Avenue that was originally built in 1892. This project will protect the public and our shared environment by reducing the possibility of sewage releases to homes, businesses, and streets.
The updates will include:
- Repair or replacement of more than 2.4 miles of public pipe.
- Installation of 41 new sewer service connections.
- Re-installation of 33 sidewalk ramps to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
- Replacement of a sewer main on Corbett Avenue that was originally built in 1892.
Construction Methods
Environmental Services will us a combination of open trench, Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining (CIPP) and pipe bursting construction methods to make the repairs.
- Open Trench Excavation: The contractor digs a trench, installs a new pipe, fills in the trench, and restores the patched trench with new pavement.
- Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining: The contractor inserts a flexible liner into the existing pipe through a maintenance hole. The lining material hardens to restore the interior without needing to dig big trenches.
- 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.
Potential Night Work
The project map above indicates a location where the project will likely require some evening or night work. Portland noise code allows construction from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Because some of the work will extend a few hours beyond 6 p.m. or will need to be done overnight for traffic safety reasons, the city will apply for a noise variance for that work.
We will mail a separate notification to homes and businesses located near night work with more details about the proposed noise variance.
Project Background
The project is part of the city’s program to maintain and upgrade the public sewer system. In the early 1900s, when Portland was growing rapidly, the city built hundreds of miles of sewers. Since most sewer pipes have a lifespan of about 100 years, Portland is now facing an urgent need to modernize our aging system.
Environmental Services has launched a large-scale effort to repair or replace the highest priority pipes throughout the city. Your neighborhood will experience a temporary disruption but will benefit from the improved infrastructure. The city is replacing aging and deteriorating sewer pipes with modern materials. These materials are more resistant to blockages than the materials used 80 to 100 years ago.
We Want to Hear From You
We would like to hear from you about special events, school activities, and community services in your neighborhood you think may be impacted by this project. Also, we want to know if you have any concerns related to business operations, disability or mobility issues, medical or business deliveries, and proposed night work. Your input will help us minimize the impact to your neighborhood during construction.
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