Environmental Services is continuing construction of a project to remove stormwater from the sewer system using green street planters, which will reduce the possibility of basement backups into homes and businesses, and sewage overflows onto streets. The new planters will remove an average of 1.6 million gallons of stormwater annually from the sewer system. The project includes constructing curb ramps and other pedestrian improvements along SE Clay Street to increase access and safety along the route to the river.
There is currently construction along SE Clay Street between SE Water and SE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and between SE Grand and SE 10th avenues.
SE WATER AVENUE
The underground pipe work is complete. The planter box concrete will be poured soon.
SE 1ST AVENUE/RAILROAD TRACKS
The underground pipe work is complete and filtration units are installed. The final concrete is being poured around the new filtration devices.
SE 2ND AVENUE
The underground pipe work is complete and these four corners are almost complete.
SE 3RD AVENUE
The underground pipe work is finished. Next, the contractor will be working on corner ramps.
SE 6TH AVENUE
The underground pipe work and four corner ramps are complete.
SE 8TH, SE 9TH AND SE 10TH
Work is currently being completed on the underground pipe and corner ramps.
The concrete crosswalks on 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th still need to be completed. The order of the concrete crosswalks have been switched. The contractor will start at 3rd and then move to 6th.  The crosswalks on 2nd will start in approximately two weeks.
The pavement in the areas where pipe was installed is temporary. Once the pipe is tested for quality, the contractor will remove the temporary pavement and install permanent paving at Water, 1st/railroad tracks, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th. Installing permanent paving is weather dependent.
The manholes in 7th, 8th and 10th need to be rehabilitated as well. These intersections will be impacted for three to four days each when this work is done.
Construction may cause occasional lane restrictions and detours, but Clay Street will mostly remain open. Pipe work may create partial closures on Clay.
Environmental Services Watershed Revegetation crews will come back in spring 2014 to plant in the green street planters.
A project map is available at www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION
- Some street parking is unavailable within the work zones during work and non-work hours.
- Equipment and material are secured and left on the street within the designated work zone after work hours.
- Construction hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The contractor may schedule working during the same hours on Saturdays.
- There is access to all properties during construction.
- Watch for flaggers and follow their instructions for everyone’s safety.
- A city construction inspector is on-site during work hours, and should be able to assist you with construction concerns. Inspectors typically wear a “City of Portland†safety vest and hard hat.
- Your sewer service and other utilities should not be interrupted during construction.
- Let us know if you have concerns such as maintaining driveway access, business operations, or medical deliveries.
To learn more about this project go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/