One-to-Two Block Closures on SE 13th Avenue (Tacoma to Lambert) in Progress
Crews have begun one-to-two block closures on SE 13th Avenue north between Lambert Street and Tacoma Street. Each block’s closure could last between one and three weeks, depending on the amount and complexity of sewer repair work to be completed. We expect crews to finish the sewer pipe work from Lambert Street to Tacoma Street by the end of February. They will then do curb ramp improvements at a few intersections and permanent paving along that stretch of SE 13th Avenue and continue to do the sewer repair work south of Tacoma Street on SE 13th Avenue.
What's Happening Now
All work is weather dependent, and the schedule below is subject to change.
January 17:
- Crews will saw-cut the asphalt on SE 13th Avenue between SE Lexington Street and SE Miller Street. This should last one day.
- If they have time, crews will also saw-cut the asphalt on SE 13th Avenue between SE Miller Street and SE Nehalem Street. If they don’t finish, they will do so on January 20.
Week of January 20:
- SE 13th Avenue north of SE Nehalem Street – Crews will repair the sewer mainline and build a maintenance hole. This should take about 3 days.
- SE 13th Avenue north of SE Miller Street – Crews will repair the sewer mainline, build a maintenance hole, and install several lateral pipes. This should take about a week.
- Crews will prepare forms for the future pouring of concrete driveways and sidewalks at the following locations, which will take about a day:
- SE 15th Avenue north of SE Reedway Street
- SE Ellis Street east of SE Milwaukie Ave
- SE Harold Street east of SE Milwaukie Street
- SE 20th Avenue north of SE Ellis Street.
Week of January 27:
- SE 13th Avenue north of SE Nehalem Street – Crews will repair the sewer mainline, build a maintenance hole, and install a couple lateral pipes.
- SE 13th Ave north of SE Tacoma Street – Crews will repair the sewer mainline, build two maintenance holes, and install several lateral pipes.
- Crews will continue to prepare forms for the future pouring of concrete driveways and sidewalks at the following locations:
- SE 15th Avenue north of SE Reedway Street
- SE Ellis Street east of SE Milwaukie Ave
- SE Harold Street east of SE Milwaukie Street
- SE 20th Avenue north of SE Ellis Street
Project Area
The project area is generally bounded by SE Insley Street to the north, SE Linn Street to the south, SE Oaks Park Way to the west, and 99E to the east with a few areas north of SE Lambert Street. See map for details.
What to Expect During Construction
Unless extended hours are needed, work on SE 13th Avenue north of Tacoma Street will occur from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Construction hours on SE 13th Avenue south of Tacoma Street, as well as the other residential streets, 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: 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.
Possible Extended Work Hours
To reduce overall impact to residents and businesses, Environmental Services received a noise variance to work evenings and nights in a few complicated or busy areas on SE Tacoma Street and SE 13th Avenue. While most work will occur during the day, two evening shifts are expected to occur on each block within the extended work hour areas shown on the map. Allowable extended work hours are between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and on Sundays when needed. Overnight work is not expected and unlikely. Neighbors will be notified if overnight work becomes necessary.
Construction During 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, starting work as early as 6 a.m., stopping work at noon, and taking other protective measures during extreme weather.
Project Background
Properties that do not have a direct, independent, and approved route of connection from their private sewer line to the public sewer system are considered nonconforming. This project will extend the sewer system in 54 locations (see map above) and provide 123 property owners a way to directly and independently connect to the public sewer system, enabling them to bring their sewer connections into compliance with current City plumbing code.
The Nonconforming Sewer Office has contacted homeowners who will be directly impacted by the project. For more information on nonconforming sewers, visit the nonconforming sewer webpage.
Private Improvements in Public Right-of-Way
In some locations, crews will need to work in the public right-of-way (see image below) - specifically the parking strip and the planting strip between the curb and the sidewalk. This is necessary to install new sewer lateral connections from the main sewer to the property line of each property with a nonconforming sewer.
If you have a nonconforming sewer, please prepare to temporarily remove any items belonging to you or to your property that may be located within the public right-of-way adjacent to your property. This may include irrigation systems, landscaping (stone walkways, plants, bark, etc.), and other amenities.
For More Information
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 Tracie Heidt by email or phone 503-865-6492.
- If you have a question or concern, please be sure to include your name, property address, and project name (Sellwood Sewer Extension) 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 Willamette River and Johnson Creek watersheds.
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