Portland Courant

On May 16, crews were able to repair the broken sewer lateral. However, crews also found that the sinkhole encompasses the base of a maintenance hole at the intersection of SE Yamhill and SE 76th. The base of the maintenance hole will require additional repairs before backfilling and repaving. 

The traveling public should expect periodic localized street closures and is advised to follow all traffic control signage. Crews may finish backfilling and installing paving this week. Roads will open to localized traffic with work zone traffic control at that time but are subject to change.

SE Yamhill between SE 74th and SE 76th will be closed through at least May 23 as crews repair a sinkhole. While the street is closed for safety and repairs, there is no immediate danger outside the sinkhole area.

Before the sinkhole can begin being backfilled later this week and the street repaved, Environmental Services – Portland’s sewer and stormwater utility – will be doing some precautionary work to the sewer pipe exposed by the sinkhole, which may be damaged during the repair process.

Once the sinkhole opened on Friday, May 12, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) quickly responded, immediately closing the street and assessing the situation. Environmental Services worked through the weekend to assess the damage and determine repairs. The Portland Water Bureau checked water mains and laterals and found no indicators of a leak. It was later determined that the sinkhole was likely caused by a leaking private sewer lateral, which flowed and impacted the downstream maintenance hole. Crews will be repairing that maintenance hole connection and service lateral before backfilling the sinkhole.

The traveling public should expect localized street closures and is advised to follow all traffic control signage. Sidewalks will remain open for pedestrian, wheelchair, and bicycle use. 

Environmental Services - the City of Portland’s sewer and stormwater utility - protects public health and the environment by collecting and recovering resources from the city’s wastewater, managing stormwater, and restoring and protecting Portland’s rivers, streams, and watersheds.

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