Portland Courant

Emergency water system repairs by the Portland Water Bureau require closures to vehicle traffic on NE Prescott Street this Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25. The closure will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, continuing overnight and into Sunday evening. Follow @PortlandWater on Twitter for updates on when the road will reopen to vehicle traffic.  

The Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) Portland Sunday Parkways Northeast Cully event presented by Kaiser Permanente will continue as scheduled. The event route is not expected to be impacted by the water system construction. On Sunday, all travelers are encouraged to incorporate extra travel time for detours and delays in Northeast Portland and consider traveling by bike or walking. Review the combined detour/Sunday Parkways route below to plan your weekend or use the Sunday Parkways digital Google Map.  

The Portland Water Bureau is proud to be a sponsor of Sunday Parkways and will be sharing information about our water system, projects, financial assistance, and water quality at Kʰunamokwst Park at NE 52nd Avenue and Alberta Street. An event hydration station will also be available to refill water bottles at Kʰunamokwst Park.  

About the road closure and detours 

Beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday and continuing through Sunday evening:  

• NE Prescott Street will be closed to eastbound motor vehicle traffic between NE 33rd and NE 60th Avenues. 
• NE Prescott Street will be closed to westbound motor vehicle traffic between NE 42nd and NE 33rd Avenues.  
• Only local vehicle traffic for people driving, walking, or biking to homes and businesses on NE Prescott Street will be allowed on the affected sections of the street over the weekend.  
• People who are driving are encouraged to avoid the area or follow the detour signs, taking NE Fremont Street or NE Killingsworth Street to avoid the closures. North-south traffic access on streets crossing the detour area will be maintained. 
• People walking or biking will be able to always access NE Prescott Street, except in three specific work zones listed below. 
• Additional street closures are planned in the Cully and Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhoods of Northeast Portland for PBOT’s Sunday Parkways route. The route does not conflict with the NE Prescott Street closure, but expect an increased flow of vehicle traffic to the area on Sunday for PBOT’s Sunday Parkways event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Follow @PortlandWater on Twitter for updates on when NE Prescott Street will reopen to vehicle traffic.

About the project 

Water crews will install two new valves and repair a leak on a large (30-inch) water main (pipe) on NE Prescott Street. The work is classified as “emergency work” because the leak was recently discovered and must be repaired before it causes serious problems underground or grows large enough to cause localized flooding. Crews have been communicating directly with impacted residents about temporary water service changes and driveway/street access. While construction projects—especially unexpected projects—are inconvenient, these repairs and improvements will strengthen our water system and keep it operational for the decades ahead.  

Three work zones have been identified for the emergency repairs: 

• NE Prescott Street, just west of 42nd Avenue 
• NE Prescott Street, west of NE 47th Avenue 
• NE Prescott Street at 54th Avenue 

With heavy equipment and other hazards in the work zones, no one will be allowed to walk, bike, or drive in those zones. Detours around the larger area are in place because most of the work will occur in middle of the road, blocking vehicle traffic. Crews have installed temporary water lines to maintain water service to the homes and businesses that receive water from the water main that’s being repaired.  

Construction impacts for residents/businesses on NE Prescott Street 

• Work will begin as early as 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, and will continue overnight and through the evening of Sunday, June 25.  
• Local access for people driving, biking, and walking to homes or businesses on NE Prescott Street will be maintained. Please plan for extra travel time and obey work zone safety cones, detours, and flaggers. 
• No street parking will be allowed in the project work zones.  
• The sidewalk will remain open. 
• Neighbors will likely hear construction noise throughout the weekend. A noise variance has been obtained by the Water Bureau for this short-term, emergency project.  
• No homes or businesses are expected to be without water service because of this work. Crews will install a temporary service line in a section of the project area to maintain water service. 
• Residents and businesses in Northeast Portland may experience temporary discolored water due to this water system work. Click here to learn what to do if you experience a change in water quality at your home or business.

Original source can be found here