A landslide on SW Tichner Drive has led the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to close the road. The exposed rock face at the top of this photo shows the area where rock and other debris slid down the hill, exposing the rocky surface and producing the pile of rocks partially viewable in the bottom of the hill in this photograph. Photo by PBOT.
(April 11, 2025) The Portland Bureau of Transportation advises the traveling public that SW Tichner Drive will remain closed until further notice, between West Burnside and SW Kingston Avenue, due to continued risk from a landslide.
Only pedestrians may access SW Tichner Drive between West Burnside and SW Kingston Avenue using the sidewalk on the north side of SW Tichner Drive. People biking may also walk their bikes on the sidewalk.
On Saturday, March 29, hundreds of cubic yards of rocky material broke free from a steep, 100-foot tall rock face. The dislodged rock mass landed primarily in a PBOT sand storage lot below, but some rocks the size of bowling balls spilled onto SW Tichner Drive.
A similar mass adjacent to that one is poised to fall, this time directly onto the roadway. It could fall at any time—without prior warning - and therefore the bureau has closed both motor vehicle lanes.
We ask people driving to avoid the area and expect delays if traveling in the vicinity near Washington Park. Follow the signed detour route via SW Vista Avenue and SW Park Place through Washington Park.
Use caution and travel slowly on the detour route, which may have more traffic than normal.
No motor vehicle access allowed. Acute risk remains of large rocks to fall at any time
Landslides are highly unpredictable and can be very dangerous. We have closed SW Tichner Drive to motor vehicles for safety.
PBOT engineers are monitoring the area closely and have observed indications of additional movement and rockfall this week.
PBOT is consulting with geotechnical engineers with the Bureau of Environmental Services on next steps. PBOT also expects to hire a contractor that specializes in stabilizing and protecting sheer rock walls, with special materials, equipment and techniques.
Once it is safe for city crews to work at the site, PBOT will need to orchestrate the removal of many dump truck loads of material to be loaded and trucked out of the area.
There is currently no estimate for how long it will take to accomplish the work needed to make the area safe.
The roadway will be re-opened once it is determined the area is stable and protective measures are in place.
PBOT is the city's lead for response to flooding and landslides that impact city streets. In recent months, crews have cleared several slides that had impacts on city streets.
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Notices are also posted to PBOT's X/Twitter account @PBOTinfo and web site portland.gov/transportation
For more information on landslides in Portland, see the PBOT website on landslides, flooding and sandbags.
Report road hazards including downed trees or water blocking travel lanes to PBOT’s 24-hour hotline: pdxroads@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-1700.
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation