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Label:
Sewer and stormwater
Label:
Active
Environmental Services is working to repair landslide damage that has closed NW Cornell Road. This emergency work will investigate and repair damage to Cornell Road as well as stormwater infrastructure in the area.
Construction work started in late-March 2026.
Traffic Advisory: Closure on NW Cornell Road
Closure NW Cornell Road remains in place, between NW Thompson Road and NW Skyline Boulevard
Travelers in the area should use alternate routes, including Highway 26, Highway 30, and West Burnside Road. Anyone traveling through this area or alternate routes may experience delays and should use caution.
Local access to residences and businesses will be provided. Please slow down and obey signs and directions from flaggers and other work crews when they are present. Moving or driving around barricades creates unsafe conditions and causes additional risks and work for crews.
Project Area
Repair work will be conducted along NW Cornell Road, between NW Thompson Road and NW Skyline Boulevard, near NW Eloise Lane.
General Schedule
Crews have been on site to conduct temporary repairs and assess the damage to the roadway and stormwater infrastructure in the area. Repair work started the week of March 23 and may take up to eight weeks.
More information on schedule will be provided once damage assessments and repair designs are complete.
Project Background
On March 13, heavy rains caused a landslide on NW Cornell Road, and crews initially closed the shoulder. A sinkhole then formed near the slide, leading to the closure of the westbound lane. On March 16, additional damage was discovered as stormwater erosion undermined soil beneath the roadway. At that point, NW Cornell Road was closed to all travel between NW Thompson Road and NW Skyline Boulevard.
What's Happening Now
Work crews have installed trench plugs to control water flow in the existing ditch. The ditch has been cleaned and lined with rock to help stabilize the former sinkhole area for construction. This week, the city contractor will clear trees and vegetation before rebuilding the retaining wall. After construction, the site will be stabilized, and the roadway will be restored.
Look-ahead Schedule
The traveling public should stay alert to all workers, equipment, temporary changes to traffic, on-street parking restrictions, and should anticipate delays during peak travel periods. Crews will collaborate with residents and surrounding businesses to maintain local access and services. The look-ahead schedule below can aid in planning your daily commute.
All work is weather-dependent, and the schedule below is subject to change.
Weeks of May 4 and 11:
Daytime work hours are Monday through Friday, and possibly Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following location:
- NW Cornell Road and Eloise Lane - Crews to finish tree and vegetation removal and begin construction on the eco-block wall where landslide was identified. Upon completion, road repairs and paving to follow. Roads remain closed.
What to Expect During Construction
- A Safe Work Site — We want you to be safe around the work site. Please keep children, pets, bikes, cars, and trucks away from the tools, machines, supplies, and construction workers.
- Noise, Vibration, and Dust — Construction creates noise, vibration, and dust and disrupts normal neighborhood activity.
- Traffic Delays — The work will slow down traffic in your neighborhood. Please read the traffic signs and follow directions from the workers with flags.
- Access to Your Home or Business — You will be able to go to your home or business, but you may not be able to park as close as you would like. We will try to make sure driveways and parking lot entrances stay open.
- Parking Restrictions — We want you to be safe, so you might not be able to park your car next to workspaces, equipment, or materials. If crews are working directly in front of your home or a business, you may need to park in another place.
- Equipment Storage — Sometimes we will leave tools, machines, and supplies on your street overnight. Please stay away from them.
- Maintained Service — You can still use sewer, water, and other services while we work on your street.
- Work Hours — Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Sometimes we work on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Schedule Changes and Inactivity — Our work schedules can change for many reasons like weather, traffic, and problems with tools, machines, or supplies. Sometimes we need to stop between different types of work and start again later.
We Want to Hear from You
Environmental Services will inform residents and businesses about project activities and respond to questions and concerns in a timely manner. We encourage you to:
- Project Webpage: Continue to visit portland.gov/NWCornellRd for project details.
- Questions? Please call 503-823-5759 or email city staff stating that NW Cornell and Eloise Stormwater Emergency Project (E11795) is your area of concern. Outreach staff will return your call or email by the next business day.
- Reporting an Emergency: In the event of flooding, call the Maintenance hotline immediately at 503-823-1700. It is staffed all hours and all days, 24/7.
Sign Up for Project Updates
Sign up for regular email or text message updates for the NW Cornell Road and Eloise Stormwater Emergency 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.