Project Area
What's Happening Now
Below is an overview of anticipated activities. All work is weather-dependent, and the schedule below is subject to change.
March 10 – March 30
Crews have moved back to the area to finish grouting and complete additional construction activities to complete the project, including the construction of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps near SE Stark and SE 2nd Ave.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps on the NE and SE corners of SE Stark and SE 2nd Ave. We will begin work on the SE corner on Wednesday, March 12.
- Construction will include excavating the current sidewalk through jackhammering and pouring concrete to build the ramp to make it ADA compliant.
- To excavate the area, jackhammering will occur intermittently for approximately two days at the start of the project. During the jackhammering, you can expect to hear loud construction noises and feel vibrations from the equipment. This is currently scheduled for the SE corner to begin on Thursday, March 13, and will last approximately three to four days (excluding Saturday and Sunday).
- Following the excavation, crews will be onsite to pour and set concrete to build the ADA ramp. This process will take approximately one week to complete.
- Minor traffic delays may occur during this work in the surrounding areas.
- When crews complete the NE corner, they will move to the SE corner, repeating the same process to build the ADA ramp.
Grouting and various supporting construction activities
- Weather permitting, crews will be in the areas to grout and complete additional construction activities during the same time as the ADA ramps are being constructed.
- These activities will occur at the following intersections
- SE 2nd Ave and SE Stark Street
- SE Water Ave and SE Stark
- SE Stark and SE 3rd Ave
- You can expect to see construction trucks and equipment in the areas and experience minor traffic delays.
Work that requires drier and warmer weather will remain on hold until spring 2025
Below is an overview of activities that are currently on hold due to weather.
Work near the Eastbank Esplanade, between SE Madison and SE Stark, where the path transitions to metal and concrete
- Due to the current wet weather conditions, which have caused rising water levels at the outfall, crews are unable to fully access the project area safely to complete the necessary work. As a result, construction in the area has entered a seasonal pause.
- If there is a dry stretch of weather in the coming weeks, a small crew and pickup truck may be in the area for one or two days for a minor construction activity.
- Crews are anticipated to regain full access to the outfall by mid to late spring 2025 when weather is warmer and drier. When construction resumes, a small crew will be in the area for up to one week to complete remaining tasks.
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:
- 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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