The City of Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services has announced an upcoming disruption for travelers on N Interstate Avenue. Beginning the week of tomorrow, a northbound lane at the intersection of Greeley Avenue will be shut down to make way for sewer construction, possibly extending through September 29. In a statement obtained by Portland.gov, officials stated that "sewer construction will close N Interstate Avenue at the intersection of Greeley Avenue all hours of all days beginning September 23 and possibly extending through September 29."
Motorists are to be prepared to adjust their commutes by detouring onto Greeley Avenue, or by using N Russell Avenue before reaching the construction site. Even though northbound by bicycle will still be permitted to use the roadway, travelers are being urged to to lean into caution and adhere to the posted signage while crews perform the necessary work.
The construction forms part of the Beech Trunk Sewer Project, an initiative aimed at improving Portland's infrastructure by replacing large-diameter pipes. The aim here is to mitigate the risks associated with flooding, along with preventing sewer backups into homes and the need for emergency repairs. As the city works to insert durable linings into the aging pipes, they look to extend their service life and enhance the overall system’s reliability.
This infrastructure project underscores the commitment of Portland's Environmental Services to maintain efficient sewage, stormwater systems, and contribute to the safeguarding of public health and environmental wellbeing. Commuters can follow more details and updates about this project directly at the Beech Trunk Sewer Project's page. However, be aware that the construction schedule is dependent on the weather and may change accordingly.
