SE Stark Trunk Sewer Project

Sewer and Stormwater
Active
Environmental Services is constructing a project to repair a large-diameter sewer pipe that runs along SE Stark Street between SE 6th Avenue and the Willamette River. The pipe known as the "Stark Trunk" is over 110 years old and is in need of repair to prevent sewer and stormwater overflows.
Construction began July 2024 and will take up to six months to complete.
On this Page

The Stark Trunk is a large sewer pipe that is showing signs of deterioration and needs to be repaired. These repairs will extend the service life of the trunk by 60 years or more, increase sewer resiliency to earthquake damage, and help protect public health and the community by preventing sewage releases to buildings and streets. 

Project Area 

This project includes sewer pipe repair on SE Stark Street from SE Water Avenue to SE 6th Avenue.

Stark Trunk Pipe and Pit Locations

What's Happening Now 

Crews will be in the area during normal construction hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.). To complete the project during the seasonal wet weather, crews may work on Saturdays between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during drier weather.   All work is weather-dependent, and the schedule below is subject to change.

Three-week Look Ahead

  • SE Stark, where it intersects SE Water Avenue Crews have completed installing the liner at this location, and will continue to work intermittently to grout and finalize construction in the area. This work is expected to go on throughout November.
  • SE Stark Street and SE Grand Ave – Crews will continue to utilize the spiral wound lining process to complete the installation of the liner in this area. Once the liner is installed, crews will work to grout and finalize construction in the area by the end of November. 

Construction Methods

The City’s contractor will use several construction methods to repair the sewer pipe. Some areas will require digging access pits to install the pipe.  

Construction methods may include the following:  

  • Jack and Bore and Spiral Wound Pipe Lining are mostly trenchless and require less digging and often less time to complete than other sewer repair methods.  
  • Open Trench Excavation to dig small trenches to replace short sections of broken pipe before repairing the entire mainline sewer pipe, and to construct sewer service laterals and access pits. 

Traffic Impacts 

During night work, crews will maintain two-way traffic past each work zone on SE Stark Street between Water Avenue and Grand Avenue. Please expect minor traffic delays, observe traffic signs, and follow the direction of flaggers if present. 

What to Expect During Construction

You can expect the following activities and impacts during construction:

Businesses Open 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.
  • Lane Restrictions and Street Closures: It is too soon to know exactly what traffic controls will be necessary to set up a safe work zone and construct the sewer improvements. The contractor will develop detailed traffic control plans before construction begins at a location.
  • Pedestrian Access: If temporary crosswalk and sidewalk closures are necessary, signage will indicate the alternate way for pedestrians to proceed. 
  • Business Access: Sidewalks and entrances to parking lots will be maintained. 
  • Services Maintained: Sewer, water, and other utilities are expected to remain in service during construction.

Night Work Background

In order to reduce impacts to residents, businesses, and the traveling public, Environmental Services has been granted a noise variance to work all hours, both day and night, and on weekends to complete the project as fast as possible. Working all hours every day will reduce the overall duration of the project and ensure that work requiring dry weather can be completed prior to winter while flows in the Stark Trunk are still low.  

Noise Reduction Measures

Louder activities will be completed during the day. Equipment that will be used at night includes trucks, water jet truck, front-end loaders, generators, air compressors, pumps, hose reel, hydraulic power pack, spool skate, and lights. Crews will use a variety of techniques to help reduce noise and disruption:

  • Sound barriers will be used to reduce noise levels, if necessary
  • “Smart alarm” back up beepers instead of a standard reverse alarm will be used from 6pm until 10pm for all equipment activity. Backup alarms will be disconnected between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and spotters will be used to safely back up vehicles
  • Generators or other stationary equipment will be placed away from residential neighbors when possible

If you have a concern during night work hours, you can call the Environmental Services noise hotline at 503-823-1338. You can also contact the Portland Noise Program at 503-823-7350 or noise@portlandoregon.gov, or complete their online noise complaint form

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:

  • Visit this project webpage regularly for updates.
  • With questions or comments, please contact Matt Gough by email or phone 503-823-5352.
  • If you have a question or concern, please be sure to include your name, property address, and project name (Stark Trunk) in your voicemail and email so we can provide you 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 Williamette River Watershed.

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