Category: Construction

Construction, Infrastructure

New Block of NE Couch Under Construction as New NE Davis Blocks Open to Traffic

Road crews recently formed the base layer of Portland’s newest roadway as part of a Gateway District street improvement project, adding one block of NE Couch Street between NE 97th and NE 99th Avenues. Contractors recently opened two blocks of NE Davis Street between NE 97th and NE 100th Avenues, built during the first phase of this Local Improvement District (LID) construction that has created an urban-scale street grid, sidewalks, and other roadway amenities. The LID makes way for expected redevelopment in this area at an urban scale. The new segment of NE Davis Street is now fully open to through traffic and pedestrians, but concrete blocks prevent curbside parking along the road fronted by mostly underdeveloped lots.

Construction scene showing heavy machinery and a newly graded roadway in Portland's Gateway District.
NE Couch St extension looking east from NE 97th Ave

Workers have already completed the reconstruction of NE 97th Avenue from East Burnside Street to the new NE Davis Street segment, which has changed the appearance and function of the formerly curbless road. Portland engineers have long planned to vacate stub sections of NE Couch and Davis Streets west of NE 97th Avenue, which were rendered useless due to Interstate-205’s construction blocking meaningful street-grid connections on that side of the street. The west side of the street features curb ramps for crossing to sidewalk corners at the new eastward NE Couch and Davis Streets.

Map of the NE 97th Avenue and Couch/Davis Street Project, highlighting types of improvements such as paving, street extensions, sidewalks, ADA curb ramps, marked crosswalks, traffic signal rebuild, and safer bike crossings.
PBOT provided graphic

Demolition crews removed a steel building that was part of the International Collision Repair property at 9817 E Burnside Street to create this new segment of NE Couch Street. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) bought a portion of the land under the building for this improvement project. Contractors working with PBOT will continue to install new sidewalk corners featuring Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps and street lighting in the LID area, while including space for street trees, making for a safer and more useful area for all Portlanders.

Aerial view of a city block showing NE 97th Avenue and NE 99th Avenue, with highlighted property boundaries and surrounding parking lots.
Aerial image from Portland Maps of NE Couch St extension outlined in blue extending through 9817 E Burnside St property

Although these new roads add to the viability of future density in the Gateway District, those redevelopment projects are years away from breaking ground. Substantial private development in this area has not materialized like City planners expected when they dramatically upzoned lots to support downtown-scale buildings in this District. Additionally, the recent announcements that the owners of Gateway Shopping Center listed the 24-acre retail complex for sale, and Fred Meyer’s decision to close its anchor grocery store at that location, are adding to community concerns that positive change in the Gateway District is a decade away.

View of a newly paved street at the intersection of NE Couch Street and NE 99th Avenue in Portland, Oregon, featuring concrete blocks to prevent parking, a stop sign, and surrounding greenery.
Now open NE Davis St looking east from NE 99th Ave

The streets in the District are already frequented by houseless people camping adjacent to empty lots or near the sparse single-family houses in the LID. The concrete blocks preventing curbside parking dissuade some people from settling in the area. Still, the relatively inactive streets naturally attract people without shelter looking for a temporary place to sleep. The new streets should help people driving and biking navigate the area. However, redevelopment within these new blocks will likely need to wait for the right investor to see promise in the Gateway District.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Construction, Infrastructure

Paved SE Clinton Street Open to All Users

Recently, crews and cement masons completed construction on new sidewalks and street paving along SE Clinton Street, converting the existing gravel road to a modern street surface from SE 84th Place to 87th Avenue. This project adds wide sidewalks on SE Clinton Street from SE 84th to 87th Avenues, completing a pedestrian connection from the commercial resources on SE 82nd Avenue to the residential streets east. The updated street design features a planting strip with space for small street trees or other greenery.

View of a newly paved street intersection with sidewalks on SE Clinton Street, featuring residential houses and greenery in the background.
SE Clinton St looking east from SE 85th Ave

In late March, crews working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) began preparing sections of the Jade District for the Jade and Montavilla Multimodal Improvements Project, which will improve access along SE 85th Avenue and SE Clinton Street for all road users in the area and give people traveling outside a car the calmer parallel path to 82nd Avenue that residents have requested for years. This work includes improving connector routes like SE Clinton Street from the safer parallel infrastructure to the commercial district. In November 2019, the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability released the Building Healthy Connected Communities Along Division Transit report, which the City Council adopted in December 2019. Most sidewalks in the project area will receive updated Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps, allowing all pedestrians to navigate the area, mostly separated from car traffic.

A newly paved street with wide sidewalks and landscaping on SE Clinton Street, featuring a smooth road surface and wooden fencing along the properties.
SE Clinton St looking west from SE 87th Ave

This project will also add new sidewalks to the Jade District west of 82nd Avenue on SE Tibbetts Street. That work will provide sidewalk infill where some blocks lack consistent pedestrian pavement down to SE 78th Avenue. Road crews will also repave SE Tibbetts Street from SE 78th to 80th Avenues. Almost a decade ago, the City identified the importance of better pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure in Montavilla and the Jade District.

View of newly paved SE Clinton Street, featuring fresh asphalt, marked crosswalks, and a clear blue sky.
SE Clinton St looking east from west of SE 84th Pl

This multimodal improvement project demonstrates the impact of community participation in city infrastructure planning efforts and highlights the time it takes to develop actionable plans with adequate funding. Together, the collection of enhancements costs $9,094,000 but should not impact the City’s general fund. Money for these improvements comes from $3,200,000 in Federal funds, with an additional $4,900,000 from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations. PBOT will source the remaining $994,000 from System Development Charges paid by developers. This work should significantly improve access within two critical commercial centers and add to general safety for those traveling outside of a car. Look for construction in Jade and Montavilla Multimodal Improvements Project zones to continue through 2025.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Construction, New Residence

Construction of Three Townhouses on SE 93rd

Work is underway on three connected townhomes along a cul-de-sac section on SE 93rd Avenue. The two-story buildings took the developer over three years to start work, with plans dating back to May 2022. Demolition crews removed the existing 1944-era single-family home at 2421 SE 93rd Avenue in early 2023, and the site sat vacant behind construction fencing for another two years until work resumed this summer.

  • 2421 SE 93rd Ave May 2022
  • 2421 SE 93rd Ave March 2023 after crews razed house leaving only the foundation

Sunstone Homes submitted the original permit applications to construct the three townhouses near SE Division Street and Interstate 205 on a 63-by-75-foot lot. Each new residence offers around 1500 square feet of living space with two full bathrooms and one half-bath for each townhouse. Each home includes an attached single-car garage taking up nearly half the building’s frontage but fitting in with Portland’s rules. Portland’s updated parking and onsite vehicle storage rules restrict excessive attached garages on street-facing walls. It says the length of the garage wall facing the street may be up to 50 percent of the total length of the street-facing building facade. However, if any or all the units in a multiunit development are less than 22 feet wide, the limitation applies to the total length of the street-facing facades.

Onsite parking could be an advantage to selling these homes, according to some area real estate sellers who still see buyers interested in the option. This street also has an abundance of on-street parking as the Interstate 205 Multi-use-path runs along the opposite side of SE 93rd Avenue, and no homes are located east of the street until the other side of the I-205 freeway. This location is also ideal for transit riders as the cul-de-sac turnaround abuts a SE Division Street TriMet FX bus station. Additionally, the MAX light rail Green Line station is south of SE Division Street, a few hundred feet away.

Site plan showing three connected townhomes along SE 93rd Avenue, with dimensions and an adjacent cul-de-sac.
Portland Maps image showing lot and cul-de-sac

As a formally dormant project, this is an indication that builders are willing to spend on housing in this current market. There are dozens of similar projects in the area that are also waiting to break ground, some of them vacant lots like this one on SE 93rd Avenue. This project could be the start of a new construction wave that Portland is trying to cultivate. Especially after City officials temporarily suspended System Development Charges (SDCs) for most new residential projects. SDCs are one-time fees charged to new development and redevelopment that increase demand on public infrastructure. The money collected improves utilities, roads, and parks. That new policy will apply to projects approved from August 15, 2025, to September 30, 2028, or until builders create 5,000 new units of housing. This short-term measure will eliminate a considerable cost for builders, but not necessarily enough to make all paused projects profitable.

People should expect work to continue on the SE 93rd Avenue townhomes through the summer, with crews likely completing the properties later in 2025.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Construction, New Business, New Residence

1818 SE 82nd Sober Shelter Construction Starts August

Starting August 4th, demolition crews working with Multnomah County’s Homeless Services Department will begin preparing the site at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue to support a new sober shelter that Do Good Multnomah will operate after construction completes in the 2025-2026 winter season. With the reconstruction of SE Mill Street adjacent to the property complete, and road crews wrapping up repaving on SE 82nd Avenue in this area, contractors will have unobstructed access to the site to install 38 single-occupancy, shed-style shelters with supporting sanitation and cooking facilities.

Street view of the site at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue, featuring a fenced area with construction barrels and traffic signals indicating SE 82nd Avenue.

Multnomah County purchased the former recreational vehicle dealership at 1818 SE 82nd Avenue in December 2022 for $2.015 million. This 34,000-square-foot parcel was the second Montavilla location the County bought that year for temporary shelter services. The other shelter, Oak Street Village at 333 SE 82nd Avenue, opened in February and is currently operating at full capacity. The Joint Office of Homeless Services — now renamed the Homeless Services Department — has held several community meetings, with the most recent meeting in April announcing that Do Good Multnomah would operate the site as a sober shelter. Presenters explained that residents and staff are subject to drug testing, and policy strictly prohibits the possession of non-prescribed intoxicants on the property.

Selecting a sober format meets a specific need for people transitioning into stable housing who are in recovery from substance use disorder, and it better matches community desires for the site, which is located near two schools. The project designers will set back the new seven-foot-high chain-link fence on SE Mill Street to allow for more sidewalk-adjacent plantings, providing a buffer space and allowing for greater resident privacy beyond the plastic fence inserts that will obscure sightlines from the street.

A proposed site design for a new sober shelter, showing the layout of sleeping units, community space, staff areas, and essential facilities like showers and laundry. The design includes labeled areas for vehicle entry, landscaping, and fencing.
Feb 2025 Design – courtesy JOHS

Workers will remove sections of the asphalt pavement in the parking lot to create green spaces and a pet relief area for residents. Portable units that will house showers, bathrooms, a kitchenette space, and a laundry facility for residents are placed along the SE 82nd Avenue frontage to create a sound barrier from the busy street. On-site parking is available for staff and service providers only. This site will not provide space for residents to park personal vehicles. Some neighbors questioned the original placement of the trash enclosure on the property, and updated designs relocated it away from the fence line, but still made it accessible for trash haulers.

As work on the site progresses this summer, Homeless Services Department staff will collaborate with community partners on a Good Neighbor Agreement, a process anticipated to take two months. Demolition work will take place through August with a planned completion date around the 22nd of that month. Electricians, plumbers, and other tradespeople will follow to install the below-ground routed services that will support the installation of the portable sleeping pods and the six support buildings.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: The Author of this article servers on the board the 82nd Avenue Business Association which will work with Multnomah County on a Good Neighbor Agreement for the site.

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Community, Construction

Berrydale Park Reopens Early with New Skateboarding and Play Facilities

On July 15th, crews removed the construction fencing that had been erected around Berrydale Park since October 2024, during Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) extensive renovations of the nearly 70-year-old community asset. Parkgoers now have access to modernized play equipment and a new skate park, surrounded by sidewalks and enhanced lighting. The city will host a grand reopening celebration at the SE 92nd Avenue and Taylor Street park on August 8th from 3 to 6 p.m.

A sign for Berrydale Park, surrounded by trees and grass, indicating park hours and management by Portland Parks & Recreation.

During 2021 and 2022, PP&R staff collaborated with the community to select the new design for Berrydale Park. Parks department leaders identified this park as an ideal location for expanding city skateboard facilities and designated funds collected from System Development Charges (SDC) for the park’s upgrade. This money is not part of the city’s general fund or the park’s operating budget. Developers pay into the fund when building new structures to support the creation or enhancement of public resources. It is a way to ensure that increased density does not come at the detriment of existing neighborhood infrastructure. During planning, the proposed budget doubled, with then-Parks Commissioner Carmen Rubio increasing the allocated funds to $3.0 million from an original $1.5 million budget. This increased funding enabled a significant playground update, accompanied by pathway and lighting enhancements throughout the park.

A new playground in Berrydale Park featuring swings, a slide, and various play equipment set on a rubberized surface, with trees and park benches in the background.

City staff used the proposed Berrydale Park project as an opportunity to investigate the construction of adjacent sidewalks on SE Taylor Street and 89th Avenue. However, neighbor opposition to their required financial contribution to the project caused the city to focus sidewalk work on park frontages. In December 2022, the Portland City Council amended the SE 89th Ave and Taylor St Local Improvement District (LID) proposal, removing all but one private residence and significantly reducing the scope of infrastructure upgrades. The original LID included the construction of new curbs and sidewalks on both sides of SE 89th Avenue adjacent to Berrydale Park. The proposed LID would have also included continuous sidewalks on the south side of SE Taylor Street, from 92nd Avenue to 89th Avenue, rather than stopping 100 feet short of the whole block.

Map showing SE 89th Avenue and Taylor Street project with improvements like sidewalk additions, curbs, and drainage around Berrydale Park and Clark Elementary School.
Graphic showing sidewalk addition. Courtesy PBOT

For months, Portland skaters have expectantly looked through the fencing at the telltale shapes of purpose-built skateboard amenities, including a prominent clover bowl, mini-ramp, railings/rails, and other skills-building elements. North of the cement skate park, crews have created two new play zones with surrounding park benches. Swings, slides, and climbing structures sit atop a rubberized soft base for safe, youthful exploration and play. The green and brown-toned equipment blends into the mature tree canopy, shading a significant portion of the recreation area and cooling the space during our hot summer days.

Area residents have already discovered the park’s new amenities within hours of the fence removal, with people biking, skating, and enjoying the new benches. The PP&R project website indicated that staff took down the construction fence early, before the newly seeded turf areas were established, in response to the community’s request for park access. Consequently, park staff request visitors avoid areas where seedling grass is taking root. People should monitor the Berrydale Park Improvement Project website for more information about the August 8th reopening event.

Article and Photos by

Jacob Loeb

Construction, Infrastructure

SE Washington Lane Closures for Sidewalk Corner Construction

Nearly two months after completing under-road upgrades, road crews returned to SE Washington Street at 84th Avenue to reconstruct the four sidewalk corners at the intersection. For the next few weeks, eastbound drivers should anticipate work in the roadway with temporary lane closures between SE 82nd and 84th Avenues.

  • Northeast corner of SE Washington and 84th
  • Northeast corner of SE Washington and 84th

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is rebuilding the four sidewalk corners at this intersection as part of a future project to add a bike lane and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure to the street. Workers recently removed the existing north side corners and will soon create enhanced pedestrian infrastructure, including new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- compliant ramps and curb extensions. The extended sidewalk corners bulb out into the parking lane of Washington Street, shortening the crosswalk distance and increasing visibility for people waiting to cross at the sidewalk’s edge.

  • Northwest corner of SE Washington and 84th
  • Northwest corner of SE Washington and 84th

Once contractors complete the north side, crews will reconstruct the south side sidewalk corners in a similar size to the existing infrastructure but with new ADA-compliant ramps that make this area more accessible to all street users. People should use caution in the work area. The Montavilla Sewing Centers remain open during this construction, but customers are advised to exercise caution when entering the parking lot adjacent to the worksite.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Construction, New Business, Property Sale, Top 2025, View of Montavilla

Another Gateway Mall Property for Sale

The owners of the six-tenant strip Mall along SE 96th Avenue are seeking a buyer for their Mall 205 adjacent property. Called Prime 205, the single-story bar-shaped structure at 1026 SE 96th Avenue recently secured Carrington College as a new anchor business occupying 64 percent of the building with a ten-year lease. Past owners of the 1971-era strip mall renovated it in 2008. The building currently houses T-Mobile, GolfTec, Fixoid, and L&M Hair Company, with one vacant storefront.

Exterior view of a single-story retail building housing T-Mobile and other storefronts, featuring large glass windows and a brick facade.

The Prime 205 property is located in the Mall 205 superblock, adjacent to the Target store. Mall 205 sold to new owners in 2022, and other retail complexes in the area have endeavored to realign with changing shopping behaviors. The Prime 205 listing follows news that the owners of Gateway Shopping Center intend to sell that large property several blocks north of this location. An unbuilt adjacent lot to the south of the property at SE 96th Avenue and Access Drive is also for sale separately.

Aerial view of a commercial area at SE 96th Ave and Access Dr, featuring multiple large buildings, parking lots, and surrounding roads.
Overhead image of Prime205 from Portland Maps with MV News illustrations

The retail building is located steps away from a TriMet MAX Green line station and offers 94 parking spaces. This area is in flux as new chain restaurants open in the vicinity, but shopping activity remains inconsistent. The unbuilt parcel could represent a development opportunity for urban housing with light ground-floor commercial uses. This parcel is part of a rezoning effort to build density in the Gateway District. Housing in this area would place residents within walking distance of grocery stores, retail establishments, medical services, and public transportation. Properties like Prime 205 can remain on the market for several years, and a buyer will likely want to retain lease tenants, so people will not see any significant change at this site in the coming years. However, owners listing this property could be an indication that they perceive renewed interest from buyers in the Gateway area, and any sale brings an opportunity for future site improvements.

Update: Changed link to SE 96th Ave & Access Dr info after host site took down original page.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Construction, New Residence

Eight NE 78th Townhomes Take Shape

Framing is near complete on eight townhomes along NE 78th Avenue as the developer readies the property for a Middle Housing Land Division (MHLD) that will create independent properties with a shared center driveway that dips below grade. The six homes in the back stand three stories tall and have attached garages. However, the off-street units hide their height by sitting several feet below ground, but their roofline is still visible over the low-slung roofline along the street.

Construction site of eight townhomes with wooden framing near completion, featuring a clear view of exposed structures and surrounding materials.
Framing of townhomes on my 14th

In 2021, a previous developer purchased the 1890-era building at 37 NE 78th Avenue, planning to construct several homes on the doublewide lot. After seeking Early Assistance for a rowhouse complex, the previous owner worked with an architect to develop building plans, but then halted work on the project. In March 2024, Wasatch Credit Association took over the property and sold it to Mark Wilde of Wilde Properties. In November 2024, Crews working with Meticulous Deconstruction completed wood salvage operations on the century-old building constructed with quality timbers hard to find in the modern wood supply.

Construction site of townhomes on NE 78th Avenue, featuring framed structures, surrounded by landscaping and construction equipment.
Framing of townhomes on my 10th

Wilde prefers projects that offer detached homes and have off-street parking with garages. However, this predesigned project he purchased was a compromise that provided infill density with some parking and distinct properties for each home, avoiding the need for condo-style Home Owners Association fees. Wilde explained that MHLD simplifies the infill development process and creates a better housing product for buyers. “I think it’s a fantastic idea. It really makes the land use process more efficient. I think it’s going to help with housing affordability in Portland when we don’t have to spend as much time and money on simple land use.”

  • 87 NE 78th Avenue
  • 89 NE 78th Avenue
  • 91 NE 78th Avenue
  • 93 NE 78th Avenue
  • 95 NE 78th Avenue
  • 97 NE 78th Avenue
  • 99 NE 78th Avenue
  • 101 NE 78th Avenue

The six back units offer around 1,400 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. The two street-facing units provide residents with under 1,000 square feet of space and two bedrooms but do not have an attached garage. Soon, crews will begin focusing efforts on the inside of the eight townhomes after they seal the exterior with windows and doors. People should expect activity on the site to continue this summer, with the new homes on NE 78th Avenue listed for sale later this year.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Construction

Gateway Discovery Park’s Month-long Playground Closure

Gateway Discovery Park’s playground will remain closed for a month-long repair of the rubber play surface installed around park equipment and in other areas where children are more likely to fall. The May 12th to June 12th closure allows crews time to replace the DuraSAFE SofTILE product at the vendor’s expense.

A damaged playground surface showing cracks and uneven patches on the left side, and a colorful play area with worn-out sections and a few small round structures on the right side.
Playground surface condition before replacement. Courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland, Oregon.

This newer East Portland recreation area officially opened in August 2018 and features universally accessible play equipment and a modern rubberized surface that boasts a ten-year warranty. The product showed signs of failure within seven years and required replacement to restore its active use. Park staff understand this closure is a disruption for the community, which relies on its outdoor playspace, but they ask for patience as this work will deliver a restored park experience with little financial impact on Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) already constrained budget.

Workers installing new playground surfacing at Gateway Discovery Park, with a pile of DuraSAFE Softile materials and playground equipment in the background.
Playground surface tiles removed. Courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland, Oregon.

PP&R built Gateway Discovery Park on land first acquired by the City of Portland in 2008 when the Parks department and Prosper Portland, which was known as the Portland Development Commission at the time of acquisition, jointly secured three adjacent properties. Based on community input, the 4.2-acre parcel was split into a 3.03-acre park with the remaining space supporting The Nick Fish mixed-use, regulated affordable housing, and ground-floor storefront development. Harper’s Playgrounds assisted in the inclusive playground’s design process and contributed funding to the project.

Fence surrounding a closed playground at Gateway Discovery Park with signs indicating maintenance and upcoming improvements.
Playground closed for surfacing work at Gateway Discovery Park (Jacob Loeb)

Parks planners anticipate crews will complete work in June, with most of the summer remaining for kids to enjoy the refreshed playground surface. Crews have no other park changes planned for this project, and the construction fence will come down as soon as the work concludes.

By

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Construction, Infrastructure

NW Natural Completes Area Pipe Inspection

Crews with NW Natural recently removed two gas line inspection apparatuses temporarily installed above ground on both sides of Interstate 84, west of the NE 74th Avenue overpass. Federal regulations require natural gas suppliers to inspect their delivery pipes every seven years, promoting safety and efficient operation. The utility’s Pipeline Integrity Management Team inspected over eight miles of gas lines during this project, which completed work on Friday, May 9th.

A fenced area showing a large yellow gas line inspection apparatus on a wooden platform, with traffic cones in the foreground and residential buildings in the background.
Pig launcher installed on NE Jonesmore St west of NE 74th Ave

Although regulations allow gas line inspections through several methods, NW Natural prefers the uses of an internal sensor device known as a Pipeline Inspection Gauge (pig) – the term pig may be a backronym as some sources atribute its name’s origin to a squealing noise produced by early versions of the tool while traveling through a pipe. A pig is a device that operators can insert into a gas line that is nearly the same diameter as the pipe. Once in the pressurized gas pipe, it travels with the fuel flow at around five miles per hour, measuring the thickness of the pipe wall along its path. “As the pig moves through the system, it’s generating a 3D picture from inside the pipeline that can show wall loss or corrosion, dents, contact with other objects underground, or other various anomalies,” explained NW Natural representative Dave Santen.

Temporary gas line inspection apparatuses surrounded by a fence, with construction cones, along Interstate 84.
Pig launcher installed on NE Broadway west of NE 74th Ave

Operators insert the in-pipe sensor equipment into natural gas lines via access points called pig launchers. Crews installed two temporary access points above ground on either side of I-84 west of SE 74th Avenue to bypass the segment of gas pipe that runs under the I-84 overpass in this area. Current NW Natural engineering plans do not use pigs to scan the suspended line over the freeway. Instead, they use other approved inspection methods. Consequently, workers needed to excavate around the below-ground gas lines at NE Jonesmore Street and NE Broadway to attach the pig launcher and receiver so the sensor equipment could continue its path manually, bypassing the overpass attached line.

Excavation site showing a long yellow gas pipe inserted into the ground with construction barriers and fencing along Interstate 84.
Pig launcher installed on NE Broadway west of NE 74th Ave

NW Natural representatives said the inspection went well, and crews have removed the above-ground equipment. Road workers will soon repair the pavement removed during this project. Future inspections of the gas line may be able to send the pig across the overpass. However, this once every seven-year process works well and does not disrupt the natural gas supply for customers who depend on it for heating and cooking.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.