Bridge Creek pipeline construction

Construction is progressing on the Bridge Creek Pipeline Replacement Project on Skyliners Road. The digging has been easy, because there’s not too much rock. But putting the pipe in the ground is slower than anticipated because melting snow is filling the trench with water. Crews have pumped this water into filter tanks to remove any possible debris and then allow it to flow over land to mimic natural snow melt.

There is approximately 600 feet of pipe in the ground at this point.

Inspectors on the project have a unique job. During installation, they lie on a skateboard and enter the pipe to check interior weld joints. The inside diameter of the pipe is only 28 inches. Entrance and exit points for the inspectors will be stationed one mile apart and air is pumped through the pipe for them.

Skyliners Road is open to the public during construction but expect delays. Cycling on the road is strongly discouraged because of the poor condition of the pavement, heavy truck traffic and loose gravel.

The project replaces two existing parallel pipelines, 12 and 14 inches in diameter, that carry water 10 miles from the Bridge Creek source to Bend’s water chlorination facility. The pipelines were built in the 1920s and 1950s and are in poor condition. For more information on the project, visit www.bendoregon.gov/bridgecreekpipe.