Springwater Corridor Closure Begins Monday

PORTLAND, OR — Interstate-5 through Portland isn't the only heavily trafficked corridor getting a facelift this summer. Beginning today, expect to see more bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the streets around the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge as a major restoration project closes a portion of the Springwater Corridor.

From July 9 through Oct. 31, as many as 2,000 people per day will need to find alternate routes through the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhoods and the South Waterfront while city crews, in coordination with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, improve salmon access and water flow between the wildlife refuge area and the Willamette River.

According to the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, city crews will replace a small pipe culvert that currently blocks salmon entry into the refuge and they'll install a large, open-bottom concrete culvert.

"Crews will cut through the berm that holds the Springwater Corridor trail and adjacent railroad track, install the culvert, backfill the berm, and then replace the trail," city officials explained in a statement. "Crews also will deepen channels to improve water flow for all resident wildlife, including bats, frogs, reptiles and the 175 species of birds that use the protected area.

"In spring, project partners will plant thousands of native trees and shrubs. A new overlook and a viewing platform will also be built as part of the project."

The project officially began July 1, but the start date of the full corridor closure was rescheduled to begin after the Fourth of July holiday and the Waterfront Blues Festival, which concluded July 7.

(Sign up for our free daily newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Portland Patch)

During this 4-month construction and restoration project, commuters through the area can expect increased bicycle and pedestrian traffic in the following locations:

• Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard and Southeast Harold Street — this is a major intersection where bicycle travelers will cross during the months of construction. The intersection has a marked crosswalk and push-button signal.
• Southeast Bybee Boulevard and Southeast 19th Avenue — this crossing has been improved with a new rapid flash beacon and white and green striping for people walking and bicycling.
• Southeast Tacoma Street — this area also has a flashing beacon to alert drivers to stop for people crossing.
• The Southeast 19th Avenue Neighborhood Greenway — this relatively new north-south connection in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhoods connects to the Southeast 17th Avenue bicycle lane. According to the city, "the new greenway is designed to be a low stress bicycle and walking route with reduced motor vehicle travel."
• Streets along the South Waterfront also are expected to see additional bicycle travel from the greenway to downtown; "People bicycling along the Willamette Greenway Trail between the Sellwood Bridge and South Waterfront are asked to watch for pedestrians, especially on narrow portions of the trail and adjust their speed accordingly," city officials said.

For more information on the project, visit PortlandOregon.gov.

Images via City of Portland