Cutting Crew: Work continues on northwest First Street
Anson Jones, right and Christopher McPherson with Crestline Construction were cutting through blacktop with a wet saw on Riverfront Trail to ensure a clean edge so that the trail is reconstructed properly in weeks to come.
Anson Jones
The Dalles, Ore., March 12, 2026 — Crews were not deterred by rain and wind Thursday afternoon as work continued on major sewer and storm-drain upgrades along Northwest First Street.
During the downpour, Anson Jones and Christopher McPherson with Crestline Construction were cutting through blacktop while a heavy equipment operator used a compact backhoe to pack material around a newly installed sewer line extending from Pacific Fruit Growers west toward Webber Street.
The work is part of the city’s Westside Interceptor – Phase 2 project, a major underground infrastructure upgrade designed to expand sewer and stormwater capacity on The Dalles’ west side.
Christopher McPherson
According to bid documents, the project includes installing 3,191 feet of 30-inch sanitary sewer pipe and 375 feet of 48-inch storm-drain pipe, along with new manholes, catch basins and related infrastructure. The construction corridor runs primarily along West First Street between Webber Street near the NORCOR jail and the Union Street underpass near Pacific Fruit Growers.
The Dalles City Council awarded the Westside Interceptor – Phase 2 project to Crestline Construction for $2.18 million in November 2025. The work began later that fall and is expected to continue through the 2026 construction season.
Crews will perform trenching, rock and boulder removal and full street restoration once the underground work is complete. That restoration will include new curbs, gutters, ADA-compliant ramps, sidewalks and fresh asphalt paving.
The project is intended to improve sewer reliability, reduce overflow risks and prepare the west side for future residential and commercial growth.
Rain and gusty winds continued through Thursday afternoon with temperatures near 48 degrees. More rain is expected tonight and Friday before conditions begin improving Saturday.
