The section of Southeast Yamhill Street between 76th Avenue and Mount Tabor has been closed indefinitely after a sinkhole broke up there on Friday, May 12, afternoon.
According to reports from concerned citizens, the sinkhole has been expanding. Before city employees arrived to stop the street and set up barriers around the hole, they placed recycling bins and a bucket beside the hole to alert vehicles.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation is investigating what happened and how much damage was done. On-site crews have been excavating all weekend. Depending on the weather, they plan to clean it up, fill in the hole, and repair/re-pave the street this next week.
Diane Dulken of the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services said, “The sewer pipes are intact.” The city has estimated that the sinkhole is 10 feet deep.
You can see a tweet with the above information-
Traffic Alert: SE Yamhill is CLOSED between SE 75th and 76th due to a sinkhole in the roadway. Sinkhole is approximately 10 feet deep and 30 feet across. Please use alternate routes and visit https://t.co/VBRzIhoy7D for Line 15 updates.#pdxtraffic
— Portland Bureau of Transportation (@PBOTinfo) May 13, 2023
The city says Yamhill will not reopen at 76th Avenue until Tuesday, May 16. The street is restricted to local traffic only. You can see a tweet that The line 15 bus for TriMet is being rerouted around the construction.
UPDATE: For Line 15 trips to Gateway TC, no service at SE Yamhill & 73rd (Stop ID 6445) and at SE Yamhill & 76th (Stop ID 6447) due to sink hole. For trips to Portland, no service at SE Yamhill & 73rd (Stop ID 6446) and at SE Yamhill & 71st (Stop ID 6444).
— TriMet Service Alerts (@trimetalerts) May 13, 2023
The most recent information regarding what has been happening in Portland is as follows:
- Beaverton Student Described as “Easygoing” Missing in Pacific.
- 40-year-old Pedestrian K!lled in Ne Portland Collision on April 25.
When asked what residents should do during a sewer emergency, Dylan Rivera of PBOT advised, “Call PBOT’s 24-hour dispatch at 503-823-1700.”
Sinkholes, potholes, and other road problems can be reported to the city via their website or phone. A plan to fix the city’s many holes has been documented on a map.
