What's Happening Now
There are multiple sanitary sewer pipe repair projects throughout the city of Portland that are in different stages of design and construction. In some locations, project teams are surveying for underground utilities, taking soil samples, and conducting other investigation activities. In other locations, crews are designing repairs, getting ready to begin construction, or actively repairing pipes.
See below for a description of what is happening now at each location.
Project Locations
SW Cheltenham Drive north of SW Pendleton Street
- Status: Currently in the design phase. Crews are conducting site investigations and working to complete design by early 2026.
- Construction Method: The project team has selected the Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) construction method for this location.
- Construction Timeline: Construction at this location is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026 and will take approximately two months to complete.
SW Westwood Drive at SW Cheltenham Court
- Status: Currently in the design phase. Crews are conducting site investigations and working to complete design by early 2026.
- Construction Method: The project team has selected the Open Cut construction method for this location.
- Construction Timeline: Construction at this location is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026 and will take approximately two months to complete.
SW Westwood Drive near SW Westwood Court
- Status: Currently in the design phase. Crews are conducting site investigations and working to complete design by early 2026.
- Construction Method: The project team has selected the Open Cut construction method for this location.
- Construction Timeline: Construction at this location is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026 and will take approximately two months to complete.
SW Westwood Drive near SW Menefee Lane
- Status: Currently in the design phase. Crews are conducting site investigations and working to complete design by early 2026.
- Construction Method: The project team has selected the Open Cut construction method for this location.
- Construction Timeline: Construction at this location is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026 and will take approximately two months to complete.
SW Cheltenham Street and SW Terwilliger Boulevard
- Status: Currently in the design phase. Crews are conducting site investigations and working to complete design by early 2026.
- Construction Method: The project team has selected the Open Cut construction method for this location.
- Construction Timeline: Construction at this location is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026 and will take approximately two months to complete.
SW Sunset Boulevard at SW Capitol Highway
- Status: Currently in the design phase. Crews are conducting site investigations and working to complete design by early 2026.
- Construction Method: The project team has selected the Open Cut construction method for this location.
- Construction Timeline: Construction at this location is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026 and will take approximately two months to complete.
SW Chestnut Drive at SW Florida Street
- Status: Currently in the design phase. Crews are conducting site investigations and working to complete design by early 2026.
- Construction Method: The project team has selected the Open Cut construction method for this location.
- Construction Timeline: Construction at this location is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026 and will take approximately two months to complete.
SW Bertha Boulevard at SW Barbur Boulevard
- Status: Currently in the design phase. Crews are conducting site investigations and working to complete design by early 2026.
- Construction Method: The project team has selected the Open Cut construction method at this location.
- Construction Timeline: Construction at this location is expected to begin in the Spring of 2026 and will take approximately two months to complete.
Typical Project Process
Preconstruction Activities
Before sewer construction begins, you will see some activity in your neighborhood as work crews prepare for the project. These pre-construction activities typically occur over time and in phases. Some of these activities will include site visits and evaluation, survey, and utility markings, pipe cleaning and inspection, erosion control, and tree protection. For more information on these pre-construction activities, visit the pre-construction webpage to learn more.
Project Design
During project design, the project team uses the information gathered during site visits and investigations to design a repair that works for the particular location and site conditions. Depending on the complexity of the repair that is needed, this design process can take 6-18 months.
Construction
Once the project team has completed design, a contractor is brought on board. Construction on pipe repairs will occur as soon as possible after design is completed, but things like contractor and materials availability, permitting needs, or weather may impact start dates. Once construction begins, we expect work to last 1-6 months at each location.
- To find out more about construction methods please visit the construction methods webpage.
- To find out more about potential construction impacts, please visit the construction impacts webpage.
Project Closeout and Restoration
Once construction is complete, crews will clean up and restore the site and close out the project. Final pavement restoration depends on contractor and materials availability as well as dry weather and temperatures in the appropriate ranges. Crews will work to complete final pavement restoration as soon as possible. Plantings or landscape restoration may also be delayed due to weather or to the need to schedule work during planting seasons. Final restoration may occur several weeks or even months after the construction work is completed.
Program Background
Environmental Services is 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.
In large parts of Portland, the sewer system is between 80 to 150-years –old. Crews inspect and monitor pipe conditions throughout the city to to assess the condition of the public sewer system, prioritize the repairs and upgrades needed, identify the appropriate repair methods, and construct the repairs and upgrades.
The sewer system repairs and upgrades will be designed and constructed by Environmental Services and its contractors and will be supervised by its engineers, inspectors, and safety officers. Community outreach professionals will work directly with the community throughout the course of the projects.
As priority pipes are identified, they are grouped together with other nearby pipes in need of repair for evaluation, design, and repair. Work on repairs is already underway in several locations. New locations will be added over time.
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. The following resources will help you stay informed and report concerns:
- Program Webpage: Visit this program webpage for details about the program and any current or upcoming projects in your area.
- Email Updates: To receive email or text message updates for these projects, we encourage you to sign up now. Updates provided through our free GovDelivery subscription service 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.
- Questions: Call the message line at 503-865-4300. An outreach staff member will be in touch with you within 24-48 hours.
- Sewer Emergency: In the event of a sewer backup or basement flooding, call the City Maintenance hotline immediately at 503-823-1700. It is staffed all hours and all days, 24/7.
Sign Up for Updates
Sign up for email or text message updates for the Priority Pipe Program 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.