The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has issued a traffic advisory warning the public that SW Tichner Drive is shut down until further notice, between West Burnside and SW Kingston Avenue. The cause is a landslide risk that’s not subsiding any time soon. According to an announcement posted on the City of Portland's website, locals should keep clear of the area, as the continuing geologic activities pose a genuine threat to safety.
Last Saturday, an alarming volume of rocks came loose from a heightened rock face on SW Tichner Drive, calling PBOT to action. The slide sent hunks of rock tumbling down onto the road, and even into a city sand storage lot. There's still a nearby mass of rock on the brink of collapse, hanging above the roadway. "It could fall at any time—without prior warning," the city's advisory cautioned. Commuters have been advised to avoid the area altogether and factor in likely delays if they're going to be driving near Washington Park.
Travelers needing to navigate the stretch are being rerouted via SW Vista Avenue and SW Park Place, circling Washington Park. The detour may experience heavier traffic than usual, thus, drivers are urged to exercise caution and take it slow on this alternate path. Importantly, the closure isn't just for motorists; pedestrians, cyclists, and individuals using mobility devices must also abide by the restriction and not move past the barricades that have been set up for public protection.
Behind the scenes, the engineers at PBOT are teaming up with geotechnical experts from the Bureau of Environmental Services to work out the next steps. A specialized contractor may soon be entering the picture, one adept at securing precarious rock walls such as these. Their techniques and materials promise some stability to the treacherous slopes. PBOT has had its hands full currently dealing with the clean-up that will involve removing massive amounts of material. "Once it is safe for city crews to work at the site, PBOT will need to orchestrate the removal of many dump truck loads of material to be loaded and trucked out of the area," they explained.
