Project Area
The project area is located on SE 26th Avenue between SE Gladstone and Francis streets.
General Schedule
Construction is expected to start mid-January 2024 and should be completed by the end of May 2024.
What's Happening Now
As engineers complete the final design in the coming months, crews will be in the neighborhood conducting various investigations. They will collect information to further help determine repairs needed and what construction methods should be used. Before the actual sewer pipe repair work begins, crews will be in the neighborhood completing various tasks to set up the work zones and prepare for major construction.
Proposed Weekend Work
In order to avoid traffic delays and increase worker safety, Environmental Services may need to operate on weekends. This may take place for up to several weekends throughout the duration of the project. Equipment that may be used at night includes equipment trucks, pumps, generators, lights, compressors, and ventilation fans.
Environmental Services will apply for a noise variance to work weekends. A noise variance is required when work occurs outside normal construction hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Portland Noise Office
Construction work after 6 p.m., before 7 a.m., and all hours on Sundays requires a noise variance from the Portland Noise Office. This project will apply for a noise variance to enable the contractor to work both extended days and weekends.
The Portland Noise Office is in the process of reviewing the noise variance application.
To report noise disturbances, please file using the online noise complaint form, email the Noise Office at noise@portlandoregon.gov, or call 503-823-7350.
Traffic Controls
The City's contractor will work with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) on street use permits and traffic control plans necessary to complete the public sewer repairs as quickly as possible. You can expect some on-street parking removal, traffic delays in and around the work zones, restricted or closed travel lanes, and restricted pedestrian crossings. Sidewalks will remain open. Local access will be provided to residents and businesses.
Pre-Construction Activities
Before repairs begin at each location, crews will be onsite to locate utilities, inspect and clean pipes, set up traffic controls and tree protections, stage equipment and materials, and set up sewer bypass systems to ensure uninterrupted sewer service.
Pre-construction activities will occur over time, not all at once:
- Site visits and evaluation
- Survey
- Utility locates
- Soil sampling and geotechnical investigations
- Pipe cleaning and inspection
- Pre-existing conditions photos
- Tree trimming and protection
- Erosion control
- Equipment and material setup
- Traffic control setup and on-street parking removal
- Public information distribution
Extreme Weather
When high temperatures, extreme heat, near freezing temperatures, or extreme cold are in the weather forecast, crews may adjust schedules to protect workers from the dangers of heat stress and cold stress. When working in extreme weather environments, all City workers, contractors, and subcontractors must follow Oregon’s OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) mandates and Environmental Services’ Heat Illness Safety and Health Plan and its Cold Stress Safety and Health Plan. You may see crews taking more frequent water and rest breaks, stopping work at noon, and taking other protective measures during extreme weather.
Construction Methods
Environmental Services will use both trenchless and open trench excavation methods for this project. Wherever possible, pipe repairs will be completed using trenchless construction methods to reduce disruption to the neighborhood.
- Cured-in-Place-Pipe (CIPP) Lining: Through a maintenance hole, the contractor inserts a flexible liner into the old pipe. The liner hardens, creating a new interior lining.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
For more information on what to expect during ongoing construction projects conducted by Environmental Services and its contractors, please visit the What to Expect During Construction webpage.
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:
- Share project webpage with others: portland.gov/bes/SE26Gladstone.
- To submit questions or comments, please contact City staff by phone or email.
- In the event of a sewer backup or basement flooding, call the City's Maintenance hotline immediately at 503-823-1700. It is staffed all hours and all days, 24/7.
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