Ferguson Sewer Improvements Project Update – March 29, 2023

TENTATIVE UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

• Crews have successfully completed the bore activities underneath the Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) canal.
• Crews are working their way west from the COID canal towards King Solomon, where they will connect to the existing sewer maintenance hole. 
• Crews will continue pre-hammering towards the east throughout the project; this technique helps with construction sequencing and time management since excavating in Central Oregon rock can be time-consuming.
• Contingent on contractor crew availability, a second crew may begin excavating for sewer lateral services as we try to maintain the original schedule.
• Bypass pumping in the Ridgewater neighborhood is expected to occur around late April. The purpose of this is so that we can decommission the existing Ridgewater II Pump Station without interruption to residents’ sewer services; access will be maintained. More information will be sent as it approaches, and mailers will be sent to residents of the Ridgewater neighborhood via the HOA as well as a notification sent via USPS by the City.
• The COID Canal Trail access point is temporarily closed on the north side of Ferguson Road due to unsafe proximity to the excavation area. It will be reopened as soon as excavation activities have shifted away from that specific location.
• For those along Ferguson currently served by septic and receiving a new sewer lateral with this project, visit www.bendoregon.gov/septictosewerprogram for more information on connecting to sewer after construction.

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGE UPDATES

Are you interested in getting project traffic control updates by text? Sign up to get information in real-time by texting Ferguson to 503-483-5506. We will text you during Ferguson Sewer construction to update you before major traffic changes.

Some things to note:

• This is a pilot program. We may ask you for feedback on what worked well and what didn’t when the project is completed.
• You do not have to sign up to receive text messages. We will still be sending subscribers email updates that will bring you needed information and updates about the project. This texting program is to supplement our outreach and provide a higher level of service.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSTRUCTION

• Noise, dust, and vibrations will occur during construction.
• Please consider traffic delays and allow extra time when planning your commute. Please drive slowly through the construction work zone.
• Although we make every effort to maintain services during construction, you may experience a temporary outage due to an inadvertent occurrence. If you experience an internet outage, for example, please notify me directly so we can ensure it is being remedied.
• School bus stops along Ferguson Road will remain in place. There will be access for bus riders to wait at the stop and to load onto the bus. There will be a flagger on site to assist as needed.
• For those who receive garbage pick-up along Ferguson Road, please take your bins to the edge of your frontage on or the day prior to your garbage pick-up. The contractor will wheel them to the edge of the work zone if they are inaccessible to the garbage service at the end of the work shift.
• For those who receive mail along Ferguson Road, the contractor will temporarily relocate your mailbox if it becomes inaccessible with construction. Mailboxes moved will be placed in their original location following construction.

TRAFFIC CONTROL 

Ferguson Road remains closed to ALL eastbound traffic from just east of Ridgewater Loop to Ladera Road. King Solomon Lane must be accessed from 15^th Street. The closure and detour maps are shown below. Local access to side streets and driveways off Ferguson Road, which do not have a secondary access point, will be maintained during construction. However, access will still be from the westbound traffic direction. ALL traffic within the bounds of the closure is flowing westbound. You may experience minor delays when driving through the construction zone. Please reduce speeds and proceed with caution when driving in the construction zone. We appreciate your ongoing patience. Sign up to get real-time information about major milestones related to traffic closure staging by texting Ferguson to 503-483-5506.

Ferguson Road Eastbound Closure, Stage 1 of 4

Ferguson Road Eastbound Detour, Overview (All Stages)

PROJECT PHOTO

Below is a photo of a partial maintenance hole installation. Excavation around a maintenance hole is much larger than excavation for a pipe due to its larger diameter and the need to install shoring (safety box for the workers) surrounding it. You can see the shoring for both the maintenance hole and pipe in the photo. 

RESOURCES

Project website: www.bendoregon.gov/fergusonsewer

Project Contact:

Alex Doza, PE, DBIA – City of Bend Project Engineer – adoza@bendoregon.gov or 541-323-8595