Work Gets Underway on Washington Park Reservoir

It's an eight-year project that will leave Portland with a secure water system bolstered by a stronger infrastructure that meets seismic standards.

The project to update the Washington Park reservoir will benefit the city - it's just that will also cause some inconveniences along the way - mostly when it comes to traffic and parking.

The 120-year-old reservoir will eventually hold more than 12 million gallons of water in an underground structure that meets seismic standards.

Above ground, people will be treated to a reflecting pool.

It's just getting to that point - an eight-year journey - will take some patience.

Southwest Sherwood Boulevard, which is a major route for people in that area of the park, will be closed for more than one year.

The city has a web page set up detailing traffic impacts and giving people a sense of what to expect.

From September 12, 2016 through March 2018, the following traffic restrictions will be in place:

ROAD CLOSURES

• SW Sacajawea Blvd. will be completely closed to all vehicle and bike traffic and pedestrian use from the intersection of SW Sacajawea Blvd./SW Rose Park Rd./SW Wright Rd. to SW Park Pl.
• SW Sherwood Blvd. will be closed to all vehicles from SW Kingston Ave. to the Soccer Field.
• SW Sherwood Blvd. will be closed to all vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians from the Soccer Field to SW Sacajawea Blvd.

OPEN FOR PEDESTRIANS/BIKES/TOUR BUSES/SHUTTLE

• The sidewalk of SW Sherwood Blvd. will remain open for pedestrian use and bike traffic from SW Kingston Ave. to the Soccer Field.

TRAFFIC REVERSAL

• Traffic flow will be reversed on SW Lewis Clark Way. One-way traffic will travel SW Lewis Clark Way and exit the park on SW Park Place.

MULTI-USE SHARED PATH

• Starting Sept. 16, 2016, a designated paved-path separate from vehicles will be available on SW Lewis Clark Way. Pedestrians and cyclists can use the path to travel both in and out of the park on SW Lewis Clark Way. Cyclists are required to walk and not ride bicycles on the path.
• Prior to Sept. 16, pedestrians are encouraged to use the stairs by the Lewis and Clark Memorial Column or be escorted around SW Lewis Clark Way.

TRAILS

• Pedestrians and cyclists can enter and exit the Madison Court Trail on SW Madison St. and SW Sacajawea Blvd. The trail will close intermittently; watch for signage.
• The Mac Trail will remain open. Pedestrians are cautioned to watch for trucks where the trail intersects with SW Sherwood Blvd. and SW Sacajawea Blvd.

NO PARKING

• All parking spaces closed on SW Sacajawea Blvd., SW Sherwood Blvd., and SW Lewis Clark Way.

TRIMET BUS SERVICE

• Line 63 - Washington Park/Arlington Heights will be detoured and stops 6177, 4346 and 4343 will be closed. Check TriMet.org for updates.

PARK ENTRANCES AND EXITS During this stage of construction:

• Three park entrances will be available: W Burnside Rd. to SW Tichner Dr.; SW Fairview Blvd. to SW Knights Blvd.; and SW Canyon Rd. to SW Knights Blvd.
• Four park exits will be available: SW Tichner Dr. to W Burnside Rd.; SW Fairview Blvd. to SW Knights Blvd.; SW Lewis Clark Way to SW Park Pl.; and SW Knights Blvd. to SW Canyon Rd.

The project entails constructing a new 12.4-million gallon, seismically reinforced below ground reservoir in the same footprint of existing Reservoir 3 (upper) with a reflecting pool/water feature on top. The new reservoir will preserve the historic drinking water function provided by the original reservoirs and be engineered to withstand ongoing landslide encroachment and potentially catastrophic effects of a major earthquake.

When complete and online, the new reservoir will supply water to Portland’s west side and serve more than 360,000 people, including all downtown businesses and residents, 20 schools, three hospital complexes, more than 60 parks, and the Oregon Zoo.

Existing Reservoir 4 (lower) will be disconnected from the public drinking water system and a lowland wildlife habitat area, bioswale, and reflecting pool will be constructed in the basin.

Map courtesy City of Portland