Sandy Boulevard Sewer and Stormwater Project

In addition, we will be coordinating with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to install or upgrade 48 sidewalk corner ramps within the project area to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. 

Project Area

The map below illustrates the entire project area where sewer improvements and ADA ramps are being constructed.

View full size image of This is a map showing sewer pipe and sidewalk corner ramp construction locations related to the Sandy Boulevard Sewer and Stormwater Project

Text description of the Sandy Boulevard Sewer and Stormwater project map

What's Happening Now

Work crews will be in the project area periodically to perform investigative activities. Activities include site visits and evaluation, survey, soil sampling, utility locates, pipe cleaning and inspection. Some investigative activities will require restricting parking and closing travel lanes. The traveling public should expect minor traffic delays. Learn more about pre-construction activities.

Project Background

The Sandy Boulevard Sewer and Stormwater Project will construct over 14,000 feet of new sewer pipe in the Kerns Neighborhood, 65 maintenance holes, and 77 stormwater drains. The project's primary goal is to increase sewer system capacity so it can better handle flows during wet weather. By improving capacity, the project will significantly reduce the risk of street flooding and sewer backups into homes and buildings. 

Completing these sewer improvements will require major construction at several neighborhood intersections in need of new or upgraded ADA curb ramps. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that when a project constructs a new sidewalk, resurfaces a portion of a street, or performs other alterations, ADA-compliant curb ramps must be installed along the route as part of the project.

As part of this project, curb ramps will be built on 48 corners. Environmental Services is working with the Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to ensure all ramps meet current ADA standards. These upgrades will help make neighborhood streets more accessible for everyone.

Construction Method

Crews will use open trench excavation to complete all work. After sewer construction, crews will backfill trenches and apply a temporary asphalt patch. The temporary patch may be in place for several weeks while quality control inspections occur. After all work has met required standards, crews will return to apply a permanent patch.

What to Expect Before Construction

• Tree Trimming: To accommodate the large equipment needed to complete this project, certified arborists will supervise trimming of street trees and some private trees in the project area. The trimming will remove low branches that are overhanging the street to reduce the possibility of large equipment damaging trees and to help ensure public safety. Limbs over the sidewalk will not be trimmed as part of this project.  
• Other Pre-construction Activities: Expect crews surveying, marking utilities, and bringing equipment and supplies to the project area. Some equipment and materials will be stored on your street or nearby streets overnight. Learn more about pre-construction activities.
• Notification: Email and text updates will be sent regularly, providing a two-week lookahead of construction locations and activities. In addition, our contractors will deliver flyers to homes and businesses five to ten days prior to work on any given block.

What to Expect During Construction

With the exception of night work at the intersection of NE Sandy Boulevard and NE 20th Avenue, construction hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Work may be done on some Saturdays, as well. 

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.
• 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: Sewer construction typically takes four to six weeks per block to complete. 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.  

Night Work

Due to high traffic volume on NE Sandy Boulevard and NE 20th Avenue during the day, Environmental Services will work up to 25 nights at this intersection to reduce public impacts and complete work as quickly as possible. Nighttime hours will be between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Friday. Crews may work on Saturday and Sunday if needed. 

We Want to Hear from You

Environmental Services would like to hear from you about special events, school activities, and community services in your neighborhood you think might be affected by this project. Also, we want to know if you have any concerns related to business operations, disability or mobility issues, or medical or business deliveries. Your input will help us minimize the impact to your neighborhood during construction.

We will inform residents and businesses about project activities and respond to questions and concerns promptly. We encourage you to:

• Visit this project webpage regularly for updates.
• With questions or comments, contact Matt Gough by email or phone 503-823-5352. Please be sure to include your name, property address, and project name (Sandy Boulevard Sewer Project) in your voicemail and email so we can provide you with more details about what to expect in front of your property.
• 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, all hours and all days.

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This project will help protect the health of the Willamette River Watershed.