Construction will begin next week on the Luther Road Habitat Restoration Project. The project site is on a 10-acre parcel along Johnson Creek near the intersection of SE Luther Road and the Springwater Corridor Trail. The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services will repair a 76-inch sanitary sewer pipe and manhole in Johnson Creek that are at risk of being damaged by moving and restoring the creek channel and natural floodplain functions. This in turn will improve water quality and stream habitat for endangered salmon, trout and other sensitive species. North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District (NCPRD) owns the property and plans to develop a park at the site in the future. NCPRD will protect the 6- acre BES project as a natural area into the future.
Project highlights include:
- 2,000 feet of new channel and 5 acres of new floodplain;
- Sewer pipe will be reinforced and buried in place, eliminating a significant public health threat;
- 6 acres of improved stream and upland habitat for fish and wildlife;
- 3,000 feet of new trails with interpretive signs;
- Over 13,000 new native trees and shrubs.
The contractor will begin building a diversion channel this week. Initial excavation will begin next week but the major work won’t begin until after July 15. Construction will continue through October 31. Construction hours will be Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Between July 15 and August 31, the city’s contractor may extend work hours on an as needed basis to Monday through Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
When construction begins, construction vehicles will access the site from SE Luther Road at SE 73rd Avenue and across the Springwater Corridor Trail. Trucks will haul away excavated materials by traveling from SE 73rd and onto SE Johnson Creek Boulevard via SE Luther Road, SE 72 Avenue, SE Alberta Avenue, and SE Bell Avenue.
About one construction vehicle will cross the Springwater Trail onto the site every ten minutes. If needed, a flagger will direct traffic at the crossing point. Trail users will not be stopped unless it is necessary for their safety. Signs placed on the trail in advance of the crossing will alert users of the construction and possible delays. The contractor will monitor the trail crossing twice a day and clear any dirt and other debris.
Expect some noise and dust from construction vehicles moving throughout the site. The contractor will comply with local and state regulations to control noise. There will be no pile driving, which is the construction activity that generates the most noise. All on-site construction equipment will be equipped with mufflers that meet or exceed the original manufacturers’ performance requirement. Un-muffled exhaust is prohibited.
The contractor will use gravel roads (as opposed to dirt) and construction entrances that include wheel washes to prevent tracking of sediment into the right-of-way. Environmental Services inspectors are on site during construction hours and will monitor SE 73rd Avenue to ensure that sediments are not tracked into the right-of-way. The site will be sprayed with water as needed to control dust.
Please email ali.young@portlandoregon.gov to receive weekly updates by email.
For questions or concerns please contact ali.young@portlandoregon.gov or visit the project website at: www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/lutherroad.