NE MLK and Russell Sewer Project

Project Area

This project will take place on NE Russell Street between NE Martin Luther King Blvd and NE 7th Avenue. 

Project Schedule  

Construction is began during the week of 27, 2025 and is expected to take up to five months to complete. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturdays if needed.

What’s Happening Now  

This project will use the open trench excavation construction method. Open trench excavation consists of digging down to and exposing the existing pipe, removing and replacing it or repairing it in place, backfilling the trench, and then apply a temporary asphalt patch. Permanent pavement restoration of the disturbed area will occur after construction is complete. 

Find out more about open trench excavation and other construction methods by visiting the Construction Methods webpage. 

What to Expect During Construction

You can expect the following activities and impacts during construction:  

• Noise, Vibration, and Dust: Construction creates noise, vibration, and dust, and disrupts normal neighborhood activity. 
• Equipment Storage: Equipment and materials may be stored on streets overnight. 
• No Parking: Little or no on‐street parking will be allowed in and near work zones, especially during work hours. On days when crews will be working in front of your house or nearby, please plan ahead. If you park your vehicle on the street, plan to move it off the street by 7 a.m. and return it at 6 p.m. 
• Traffic Delays: Expect traffic delays in and near the work area. The contractor will develop detailed traffic control plans for each location. Please obey all traffic control signs and follow the directions of flaggers if present.
• Pedestrian Access: If temporary crosswalk and sidewalk closures are necessary, signage will indicate the alternate way for pedestrians to proceed. 
• Services Maintained: Sewer, water, and other utilities are expected to remain in service during construction. 
• Garbage Pickup: Access to garbage and recycling bins for haulers will always be maintained. 
• Schedule Changes and Inactivity: Construction schedules can change due to a variety of factors, including conditions underground, weather, traffic impacts, subcontractor schedules, and availability of materials. These same variables may cause periods of inactivity during construction phases.  

Pavement Restoration

In sewer and stormwater construction projects where crews dig into city streets, Environmental Services is required to follow specifications set by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), who owns the streets and manages the public rights-of-way. PBOT determines what pavement restoration a project must do and provides direction that meets the intent of the City’s Pavement Restoration Standard Drawings for Local Streets or Busy Streets.

We Want to Hear from You

We will inform residents and businesses about project activities and respond to questions and concerns in a timely manner. We encourage you to:

• Sign up to receive email or text message updates portland.gov/bes/signup. You can also sign up to receive information on other projects and topics.
• Contact Aaron Abrams with questions or comments by phone at 503-823-2827 or email Aaron.Abrams@portlandoregon.gov. Please be sure to include your name, property address, and project name (MLK and Russell) in your voicemail and email so we can provide you more details about what to expect in front of your property.
• In the event of a sewer backup or basement flooding, call the Maintenance hotline immediately at 503-823-1700. It is staffed all hours and all days, 24/7