The project will also help protect public health, property, and the environment by increasing the capacity of the public sewer system, reducing the potential for basement backups, and reducing the likelihood of emergency work in the future.
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.
Schedule
Construction begins next week. It could take approximately four to six weeks to complete work on most blocks, with periods of inactivity to occur from time to time. Completing all work in the neighborhood will take about a year and a half.
To avoid disruptions during peak business months, construction on SE 13th Avenue won’t begin until early 2025.
What's Happening Now
All work is weather dependent, and the schedule below is subject to change.
Week of April 22
- SE 11th Avenue, north of SE Linn Street - Crews will repair the sewer mainline, install two new maintenance holes, and install several new lateral pipes using open trench excavation.
Week of April 29
- SE 11th Avenue between SE Marion Street and SE Sherrett Street - Crews will repair the sewer mainline and install two new maintenance holes using open trench excavation.
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.
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 13th Avenue and SE Tacoma Street. 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. Residents will be notified if overnight work is needed.
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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