Bull Run Filtration Construction Activity

Water
Engineering And Design
The Portland Water Bureau is building a new water filtration facility and pipelines that will be key components of a more resilient water system. The filtration facility and pipelines are needed to meet federal and state drinking water regulations and will be in operation by Sept. 30, 2027.
Aerial photo looking south over the facility construction site.
2019-2028
On this Page

We are working to build the new water filtration facility and pipelines safely and efficiently. Construction is underway at the filtration facility site and raw water pipeline/tunnel site. Work is also happening in parts of the public right-of-way to prepare for upcoming pipeline construction. 

This webpage is updated regularly to reflect new information about project construction activities. 


Traffic impacts

Map of temporary lane closures for the week of Sept. 9
Single-lane traffic controls where work is happening on Lusted Road and Carpenter Lane.

Crews are working on the south side of Lusted Road, east of the Altman intersection, to help prepare for upcoming pipeline construction. This includes clearing, grubbing, and preparing to widen the road within the existing public right-of-way to help accommodate traffic during pipeline construction. 

Striping along parts of Lusted Road, Altman Road, and Hosner Road is planned to occur Tuesday Sept. 17.

Work to improve the Carpenter Lane access to the filtration facility site is ongoing, including utility installation and installing retaining wall and right turn lane at Dodge Park Boulevard and Cottrell Road. Paving Carpenter Lane will occur on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Single-lane closures and traffic controls, including: 

  • Lusted Road - Altman to Hosner roads
  • Altman Road - Lusted Road to county line 
  • Hosner Road - Oxbow Drive to Lusted Road 
  • Carpenter Lane - east of Cottrell Road
  • Cottrell Road - between Dodge Park Boulevard and Carpenter Lane
  • Dodge Park Boulevard/Cottrell Road intersection

What to expect: 

  • Signage and temporary traffic controls to direct traffic around work areas 

Other work happening now

Work hours are between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Deliveries and work to prepare or secure the sites for the day may occur outside of these hours. 

Work at and near the filtration facility site includes:   

Map of Filtration Site, Carpenter Lane, and Bluff Road area
  • Mobilizing temporary offices to facility site (four to six weeks)
  • Ongoing utility relocation and paving on Carpenter Lane (east of Cottrell Road) and on Cottrell Road (between Carpenter Lane and Dodge Park Boulevard)
  • Installing retaining wall and right turn lane at Dodge Park Boulevard and Cottrell Road 
  • Delivering equipment and materials to the facility site
  • Site staging at City-owned property on north side of Carpenter Lane
  • Demo of ADU City-owned property on north side of Carpenter Lane
  • Excavating and grading with heavy machinery into the southeast stockpile area at the facility site
  • Installing sheet piles to create an in-ground retaining wall at the facility site
  • Operating water trucks onsite for dust control

What to expect: 

  • 24-hour site security
  • Increased traffic near the site
  • Signage and flaggers directing traffic
  • Construction noise and vibration near the site 
  • Light wetting of Carpenter Lane to keep dust down
  • Street sweeper operating on Carpenter Lane
  • Contractor will suspend activities to allow emergency access and local residents access to their property

Work at the raw water pipeline/tunnel site on Lusted Road near the Clackamas/Multnomah county line includes:

Map of Tunnel area near County line
  • Mobilizing construction equipment to site
  • Clearing, grubbing, and tree removal
  • Installing noise barrier wall at tunnel site
  • Constructing work site access road

What to expect: 

  • Increased traffic near the site
  • Flagging for traffic safety when vehicles are entering and exiting the site
  • Construction noise and vibration near the site 
  • Street sweeper operating on Lusted Road

Work in public right-of-way along parts of Lusted Road, Altman Road, and Hosner Road includes: 

Map of Altman Lusted Oxbow Area
  • Initial work to widen Lusted Road within the right-of-way to help accommodate traffic during upcoming pipeline work
  • Striping parts of Lusted Road, Altman Road, and Hosner Road
  • PGE working clearance along Lusted Road

What to expect: 

  • Traffic controls, signage, and flaggers to direct traffic where work is occurring


What's happening next 

  • Relocating Pleasant Home Water District water lines in parts of Lusted Road (intertie location to Altman Road) and Altman Road (Oxbow Drive to Lusted Road) - estimated start end September
  • Clearing, grubbing, and tree removal in public right-of-way along Dodge Park Boulevard – estimated October 7-31 
  • Site preparation for pipeline installation in City easement on private property between Lusted Road and Dodge Park Boulevard – estimated start mid-October

Prioritizing Safety 

We're taking care to prioritize safety for both the community and workers. This includes a safety first philosophy in construction work zones, using appropriate traffic controls when work is occurring in the right-of-way, and ongoing communication to provide notice of construction activities to neighbors and commuters. 

Stay safe near work zones

Work zones play a crucial role by providing a safe area for workers and a safe route for all road users. We ask the community to be aware and play an active role in keeping work zones safe.

Remember when you're near a work zone to slow down, be alert, and proceed with caution.
  • Slow down and stay alert: Slow down and avoid tailgating. Speed is a major factor in crashes. Be alert to changing traffic patterns and congestion.
  • Obey warning signs and traffic controls: Follow work zone warnings, traffic control signs, and flaggers. They are there for your safety and signs apply to everyone traveling through – whether the person is walking, biking, rolling or driving. 
  • Keep a safe distance: Stay clear of equipment and crews at work. When possible carefully move over to give workers more room between them and your vehicle. 
  • Use an alternate route when possible: When you can, avoid roads with posted work zones. 
  • Expect delays and be kind: Our goal is to move people through our work zone safely, while also completing our construction work efficiently. We appreciate your understanding. 

Frequently Asked Construction Questions

How long will construction take?

Substantial completion is planned by September 30, 2027, when we need to begin serving filtered Bull Run drinking water to our customers to meet our compliance deadline with the Oregon Health Authority. 

What are the typical hours for construction? 

Construction work hours are typically between 7am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday. Deliveries and work to prepare or secure the facility site for the day may occur outside of these hours. 

How can I stay up to date? 

What types of traffic controls are being used during construction? 

Our construction traffic control plans focus on traffic safety and minimizing disruption for the local community. Typical traffic control measures include identifying flagging needs, detour routes, and provision for local and emergency access. We ask the community to help keep work zones safe by slowing down and staying alert, obeying warning signs and traffic controls, and using an alternate route when possible.  

Will the roads be improved before, during, or after construction?

We're making improvements to designated local roads to provide safe access for construction traffic and other road users. This work includes improvements from the intersection of Dodge Park Boulevard and Cottrell Road to the site access off Carpenter Lane, as well as sections of Altman, Lusted, and Hosner roads. We plan to monitor road conditions before and during construction and will take corrective action as needed in coordination with the counties.

What measures are being taken to account for safety of children and cyclists? 

We're committed to the safety of the community. Typical traffic safety steps include using signage, flagging, and other traffic controls to move people (whether walking, biking, rolling, or driving) through our work zones safely while also completing construction efficiently. We're also instructing contractors to avoid school zones prior to and just after start and end times of school when in session. 

How is dust during facility construction being addressed? 

Our construction dust management at the facility site includes practices such as establishing temporary gravel roads, using water trucks during the dry season and as needed, covering or watering stockpile areas as needed, and using wheel washes for construction trucks exiting the project site.  

What will typical pipeline construction look like?

The pipeline construction will be completed in segments. We're planning to install most of the new pipeline using open cut trenching. We'll use trenchless methods (tunneling) for some pipe segments where creeks or other features are nearby. Road surfaces and property along the routes will be restored following construction completion. 

Four sequential photos showing heavy equipment being used to install pipelines.
Typical open cut pipeline construction starts with excavation, then pipelaying, backfilling, and completion.

Good Neighbor Commitment

We're committed to being a good neighbor throughout the life of the Bull Run Filtration Project. This includes ongoing outreach to share information about project progress and invite feedback. We also used input from the community to develop a Good Neighbor Agreement that will help make sure neighbors’ concerns are considered through design and construction and into ongoing operations. 

Stay up to date: 


Construction Contracting

MWH-Kiewit (a joint venture with MWH Constructors and Kiewit) is the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) for the filtration facility.

Bull Run Conveyance Partners (a joint venture with James W. Fowler Co. and MWH Constructors) is the CM/GC for the pipelines. 

Visit the construction workforce webpage to learn more about sub-contracting opportunities.

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