Willamette River Crossing Project

Introducing the Willamette River Crossing Project – a crucial initiative by the Water Bureau aimed at fortifying Portland’s water system against earthquakes. With the current water mains crossing the Willamette River being over 50 years old and vulnerable, this project is a significant step towards enhancing the system’s resilience and ensuring a safe and abundant water supply for future generations.

Over the past few decades, the Water Bureau has been tirelessly working to strengthen water supply facilities to withstand seismic activities. The Willamette River Crossing is the next milestone in this endeavor, specifically designed to bring water to the west side of town.

The project entails the construction of several tunnels, with an 84″ ID Casing and a 68″ OD Steel watermain, tunneled at an incline of up to 8%. To ensure utmost safety and structural integrity, stringent requirements were set for the grouting of the annular space with cellular concrete. The grout had to meet specific criteria, including a density of no less than 55PCF, shrinkage less than 0.03%, and a UCS (Ultimate Compressive Strength) of 300 PSI. Additionally, the heat of hydration had to remain below 160 degrees, and measures were taken to prevent the buoyancy of the carrier pipe.

After rigorous testing in our lab, we successfully identified the ideal mix for this project, which was subsequently approved by the engineer/owner. During the grouting process, we closely monitored the heat of hydration for 24 hours, with the temperature peaking at a maximum of 130 degrees. The grouting was executed through grout ports inside the steel pipe, and a remarkable 2000 cubic yards of materials were placed across two runs. Our maximum grout lift height stood at 5′.

If you are interested in learning more about our specialized grouts and the Willamette River Crossing Project, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are excited to share further details and insights with you.