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Label:
Traffic advisory
NW Cornell Road is REOPENED between the tunnels, east of the Bird Alliance of Oregon
Still CLOSED: An earlier closure NW Cornell Road remains in place, between NW Thompson Road and NW Skyline Boulevard
Still CLOSED: An earlier closure NW Cornell Road remains in place, between NW Thompson Road and NW Skyline Boulevard
Published
Updated
PBOT crews remove landslide debris from NW Cornell Road last weekend. City engineers examined the area for safety risks, foresters removed hazardous trees and more PBOT crews placed a protective cover over the slide today, making it possible to reopen ahead of rain forecast for Wednesday. Photo by PBOT.
NW Cornell Road is REOPENED between the tunnels, east of the Bird Alliance of Oregon
Still CLOSED: An earlier closure NW Cornell Road remains in place, between NW Thompson Road and NW Skyline Boulevard
(5 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2026) The Portland Bureau of Transportation has reopened a section of NW Cornell Road earlier than expected, after clearing debris from a landslide between the two tunnels that led to a closure of the key NW Portland route on Friday.
The reopening provides direct access to the Bird Alliance facility at 5151 NW Cornell Road.
An earlier closure to the west, between NW Thompson Road and SW Skyline Boulevard, remains in place. So travelers from the west should expect to access the area via NW Skyline and NW Thompson Road. Go slow. Expect travel delays.
The landslide between the tunnels included downed trees and power lines, making the area hazardous and requiring response from a variety of agencies. To do the work safely, requires daylight conditions, so PBOT expected to be working on this slide well into this week.
On Friday, crews with Portland General Electric made power lines safe, so foresters with Portland Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry could clear downed trees.
That cleared the way for PBOT crews to come in over the weekend. They removed 24 dump truck loads of soil, rock and vegetation.
City engineers examined the site for workplace safety on Friday, and went back on Monday. They identified the last remaining hazardous trees that were removed today.
PBOT structural crews covered the slide with erosion control matting, to make it safe in advance of forecast rainfall on Wednesday.
Finally, PBOT sign crews removed detour and other traffic control signage along West Burnside today. Signs had been in place as far east at NW 23rd Avenue and Lovejoy Street, and west at NW Skyline Boulevard and Cornell Road.
PBOT crews remove landslide debris from NW Cornell Road last weekend. City engineers examined the area for safety risks, foresters removed hazardous trees and more PBOT crews placed a protective cover over the slide today, making it possible to reopen ahead of rain forecast for Wednesday. Photo by PBOT.
Detour route around western closure to reach the tunnels
This map shows the part of NW Cornell Road that is closed to repair damage from an earlier landslide. It also shows the route for travelers to reach homes and businesses near the Bird Alliance of Oregon. The landslide between the tunnels was located to the east of this map. Map by PBOT.
An earlier closure remains in place to the west
This was a second closure on NW Cornell Road, as another section near the intersection with NW Eloise Lane has been closed since March 13. A landslide that day and a sinkhole discovered days later caused significant damage to the roadway in that area.
The Bureau of Environmental Services is working to investigate and repair damage to Cornell Road as well as stormwater infrastructure in the area.
NW Cornell Road is closed at NW Eloise Lane between NW Thompson Road and NW Skyline Boulevard. Travelers in the area should use alternate routes, including Highway 26, Highway 30, and West Burnside Road. Anyone traveling through this area or alternate routes may experience delays and should use caution.
Repair work started the week of March 23 and may take several months. See the project website for more details.
Local access to residences and businesses is provided.
The road is one of several key corridors connecting Portland and Washington County. Travelers in the area should use alternate routes, including Highway 26, Highway 30 and West Burnside Road. Go slow and use caution is traveling on NW Skyline and Thompson to get around the closure.
Expect delays and use caution on area roadways.
Everyone should obey road closure signs and directions from flaggers and other work crews when they are present.
Since heavy rain in March, PBOT has responded to a half dozen landslides and other water damage to city streets.
People who move or violate barricades have been causing additional work for road crews that need to restore the closures and in some cases replace barricades with concrete barriers.
Learn more about weather emergency response and preparedness
PBOT is the City of Portland's lead on response to a variety of emergencies, including landslides and floods.
For updates on this and other impacts to area roadways from the heavy rain, see the PBOT website for winter weather road closures and chain advisories.
Learn how you can be prepared for heavy rain, snow, ice or other severe weather that affect transportation at the PBOT website for weather emergency response.
Report road hazards to PBOT Maintenance Dispatch 24/7 at 503-823-1700. Learn more about the city's response to landslides and flooding and how to report incidents.
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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.