What’s Happening Now
Construction is currently scheduled for September 2025 to July 2026. This includes approximately 28 weeks of night work. Overnight work hours will be 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. Environmental Services expects work to take four to five weeks at each location. Work will occur in phases.
Traffic Advisory: Environmental Services has reopened SE Market and SE Salmon Street to northbound traffic. Thank you for your patience while crews completed emergency repairs. One lane closure remains in place. Please see details below.
- One lane will be closed on SE Grand Avenue and SE Ankeny Street for all hours, all days. Work has already begun. The lane closure is expected to stay in place through Nov. 17.
Here’s what you can expect at the following Grand Avenue intersections as construction continues:
SE Market Street: Work is complete. No additional work scheduled.
SE Salmon Street: Work is complete. No additional work scheduled.
SE Stark Street: Repair work is scheduled for 12:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14.
SE Oak Street: Crews may be on site during the next week. Check back here for updates.
SE Ankeny Street: Expect a one lane closure, all hours, all days, through Nov. 17. Streetcar and driveway access will not be affected. Grouting will occur Thursday, Nov. 13. Restoration work will occur Friday, Nov. 14, weather conditions permitting.
NE Davis Street: Grouting will continue through Friday, Nov. 21.
What to Expect During Construction
You can expect the following activities and impacts:
- Work Hours: Overnight work hours will be from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday.
- Duration: Work is expected to take four to five weeks at each location. Work will occur in phases—grouting, temporary pavement, and permanent repaving.
- Local Access: Local access will be provided to all properties and driveways. Expect delays.
- Traffic Delays: Expect traffic delays in and near the work area due to overnight lane closures. Please observe traffic control devices and signs and follow the directions of flaggers.
- Parking Restrictions: On-street parking will be restricted in and near the work zones. This creates a safe work environment and allows crews to stage equipment and materials.
- Equipment Storage: Some equipment and materials may be stored overnight on your street, nearby streets, or other public right-of-way areas.
- Noise, Vibration, and Dust: Construction creates noise, vibration, and dust.
- Periods of Inactivity: Work will occur in phases, and there may be periods of inactivity between phases. A variety of factors, including conditions underground, weather, subcontractor schedules, and availability of materials may affect the schedule.
- Maintained Service: Water and other utilities will remain in service during construction.
For more information about the approved night work and the anticipated noise levels, visit the project webpage.
Construction Methods
Crews will drill vertical holes in the work area. They will pump grout into the holes. Grout will fill voids, compact the ground, reduce water seepage, and improve the strength of the soil under the street pavement. Once the grout is in place, crews will put temporary pavement or steel plates over the holes. After construction crews complete work at all six sites, they will repave each area with permanent paving.
We Want to Hear from You
Here are ways you can stay informed and let us know your questions and concerns:
- Project Webpage: Visit this project webpage for updates using the shortcut www.portland.gov/bes/grandave.
- Questions: The communications firm PRR is assisting city outreach staff. Contact Love Lee via email at llee@prrbiz.com or by phone at (206) 462-6395. Be sure to include your name, business name, property address, and project name (Grand Ave Riser Stabilization) in your messages so we can provide you with details about what to expect near your property.
- Nighttime Construction Noise Complaint: Call the noise hotline at 503-823-1338, stating that Grand Avenue Riser Project is your area of concern. The noise hotline is monitored by site inspectors.
- Sewer Emergency: In the event of a sewer backup or basement flooding, call the City Maintenance hotline immediately at 503-823-1700. It is staffed all hours and all days, 24/7.
Project Background
One of Environmental Services’ large sewer tunnels is buried deep under Grand Avenue. Vertical pipes called risers, travel up from the sewer to the street. Risers allow workers to access the tunnel for maintenance. The soil between the tunnel and Grand Avenue is moving and settling. Environmental Services’ tunnel and risers do not move. They stick up into the roadway while the earth settles around them. This makes for a bumpy ride for people driving on Grand Avenue.
The Grand Avenue Riser Stabilization Project will stabilize the soil and roadways around the tunnel’s risers. Going forward, the city will have to do less maintenance work to level out low points on Grand Avenue. This long-term fix means fewer traffic disruptions for nearby businesses and the traveling public.
|
