SE Yamhill Street remains closed from SE 76th Avenue to SE 74th Avenue due to a sinkhole discovered on May 12th. The sidewalks are open to pedestrians while private vehicles and the TriMet number 15 bus line must detour around the site, as they have for over a month. The substantial hole in the road surface is covered by steel plating, waiting for replacement sewer parts not currently available to Portland’s sewer and stormwater utility, the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES).
Crews determined a leaking private sewer lateral line from a nearby property likely caused the sinkhole. While repairing the problem pipe, workers discovered the sinkhole extended to the maintenance hole at SE Yamhill Street and SE 76th Avenue intersection. Engineers have determined that additional repairs to the base of that maintenance hole are needed. According to a City of Portland Traffic Advisory, that work requires parts not immediately available, and work is on hold until those parts are acquired.
“The SE Yamhill sinkhole repair has been extended longer than expected due to the limited availability of materials required to repair a sewer of this size and age. For a scheduled project, materials are lined up in advance. Since this was an unanticipated emergency project, the materials required were not on hand. Crews are working as quickly as our supply chain allows and have been coordinating with multiple suppliers to receive the necessary material as soon as possible.” – June 7th Traffic Advisory.
Due to the sinkhole, the TriMet number 15 bus line bypasses some stops along SE Yamhill until repairs are complete. Riders of that line should note canceled eastbound service at SE Yamhill & 73rd (Stop ID 6445) and SE Yamhill & 76th (Stop ID 6447). Bus drivers are also bypassing stops for westbound riders at SE Yamhill & 73rd (Stop ID 6446) and SE Yamhill & 71st (Stop ID 6444). The road closure diverts most traffic onto SE Taylor Street, and some area residents have observed increased speeding on their streets. People should use caution near SE Yamhill Street and SE 76th Avenue until road crews backfill and repave the sinkhole.
Update: City staff repaired the Yamhill sinkhole reopening the street on August 16th, 2023.
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