SW Tichner Drive, a critical thoroughfare in Portland, is back in business after a considerable landslide had forced the route's closure earlier this year. The landslide, which sent a mass of rocks tumbling onto the roadway and into a Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) sand storage lot on March 29, required extensive removal efforts. Crews have successfully cleared away around 3,406 tons of debris over the intervening months, according to a statement from PBOT.
The landslide's impact was such that rocks the size of bowling balls had obstructed the motor vehicle access, calling for an immediate closure of the area for safety reasons. The cleanup operation involved not just the painstaking removal of the rocky debris but also 32 truckloads to haul them away. However, the work is far from finished. During the cleanup, PBOT crews found a section of the catchment wall at the base of the rockface damaged, necessitating further repairs.
Thankfully, while PBOT addresses this additional challenge, Portland drivers won't have to navigate any road closures. "Limited traffic impacts are expected," PBOT communicated, as the necessary repairs to the catchment wall will take place using the sandlot area beneath the slide. The transportation bureau also plans continued monitoring of the area, particularly in the winter and rainy season to ensure the safety and stability of the slide site.
Road users, along with local organizations like Explore Washington Park and the Portland Japanese Garden, have shown resilience and patience throughout the closure period. Their adaptability will once again be called upon, albeit to a lesser extent, as PBOT ensures no further surprises arise from the once unstable rockface. "No road closures required," assured PBOT, signaling a smoother journey ahead for Portland's commuters and the neighboring community.
