PROJECT UPDATE, 6/27 – The Springwater Corridor will close on Monday, July 9. Construction activities will begin, but the project team and the contractor worked to ensure that the trail can remain open for the busy July Fourth holiday and the Waterfront Blues Festival weekend. The temporary closure will continue as planned through October 31.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This summer, the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES), Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), work together on a large-scale habitat enhancement project to benefit wildlife in the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.
The project will improve hydrology and habitat for protected wildlife species, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, bats and salmon. Right now, migrating juvenile salmon cannot safely access Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge on their journey to and from the Pacific Ocean because an existing culvert and water control structure effectively blocks fish passage into the refuge.
MAJOR CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING SOON
While construction activities will begin as scheduled, the Springwater Corridor will now close on Monday, July 9 and will remain closed through October 31, as planned.
Construction equipment and materials are transported to the site by barge and along the railroad tracks. Crews will cut through the existing berm, including the Springwater Corridor trail and adjacent railroad track, install a large open bottom concrete culvert, backfill the berm, and then replace the trail. In addition, crews will deepen channels to improve water flow, and plant thousands of native trees and shrubs. A new overlook and a viewing platform will also be constructed as part of the project.
WHY CONSTRUCT DURING THE SUMMER?
The State of Oregon requires that our work occurs during times when it will have the least impact on important fish, wildlife, and habitat resources. This is called the “In Water Work Window.”
WILL OAKS BOTTOM WILDLIFE REFUGE BE OPEN?
YES! Hiking trails in the refuge are open and can be accessed from the parking lot on Milwaukie Avenue or from Sellwood Park. You can also access the refuge from the north or south using portions of the Springwater Corridor that remain open. Please remember that only pedestrians are allowed on the soft-surface trails!
WILL THE SPRINGWATER CORRIDOR BE OPEN?
Between July 9 and October 31, the Springwater Corridor will be open to the wildlife refuge but closed as a through route. Access to Oaks Amusement Park and the Oregon Yacht Club floating home community will be maintained from the south throughout the project.
For more information, including project details or pedestrian and bike maps, visit www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/oaksbottom
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
Our goal is to keep businesses and residents informed during construction. The latest project information is available in several ways:
• Mailings: Project updates will be mailed periodically during project construction.
• Website: The latest construction schedule and project updates will be posted at: www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/oaksbottom
• Email Updates: To sign up for email updates, email Sarah Bennett, Sarah.P.Bennett@usace.army.mil, with “Oaks Bottom” in the subject line.
– BES CONTACT: Ronda Fast, 503-823-4921, Ronda.Fast@portlandoregon.gov
– USACE CONTACT: Sarah Bennett, 503-808-4514, Sarah.P.Bennett@usace.army.mil
