Utility work triggers 3 month closure on Webber Street; Crestline hopes to backdoor Port access with accelerated schedule

Hydraulic Rock Hammer Operator Matt Reed gives us a birds eye perspective on the digging for the sewer line on West First Street earlier this week. Reed said they are running into tough basalt as they dig a 14-foot trench for the new sewer line.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., March 25, 2026 — A key access route to The Dalles’ industrial west side will close for up to three months starting March 30, as construction intensifies on a major sewer and stormwater upgrade project.

Webber Street from just northeast of the UP rail road tracks to the east exit from NORCOR jail will be closed for approximately three months beginning on Monday, March 30. First Street between the Cherry Growers and UPS will also be closed- however, Crestline construction is hoping to finish the first part of the job and reopen West First Street to Terminal Way and Bargeway Road by the end of April if all goes well. Crews, however, are running into some difficult work as they are having to break through some massive slabs of basalt to place new sewer line. s

Webber Street between West Second Street and River Road will be closed to all through traffic for an estimated 12 weeks, forcing drivers heading to the Port area to reroute from the north end of River Road. The closure marks a significant shift in traffic patterns for businesses and freight moving through one of the city’s busiest industrial corridors.

The extended shutdown comes as crews install critical underground infrastructure as part of the city’s Westside Interceptor — Phase 2 project, a $2.18 million investment aimed at expanding sewer capacity, reducing overflow risks and preparing the west side for future growth.

West First Street will also remain closed at the Oregon Cherry Growers main entrance during the work, with that closure in effect 24 hours a day throughout the construction period.

Despite the disruptions, access to several major businesses — including UPS, Oregon Equipment Co., Pepsi, the Dalles Transfer Station and the city’s Public Works building — will be maintained via Bargeway Road. Access to NORCOR and Insitu along Webber Street will also remain open.

Crestline Construction is digging at multiple sites along First Street to speed up the excavation process in hopes of reopening roads in the area early.

Jeff Pettenger of Crestline Construction said the company is aware of the strain the construction is placing on businesses and local drivers and is working to shorten the disruption where possible.

He said crews are operating on an accelerated schedule along West First Street, with the goal of reopening sections connected to Terminal Way and Bargeway Road in late April. Those routes would reconnect drivers to the open portion of River Road near Riverside Gymnastics, restoring the more direct access to the Port area.

During the meantime, the only access into the port will be off of West Sixth Street where it intercepts River Road at the Discovery center on- and off-ramp.

Drivers needing to access the Port of The Dalles will need to go to the north entry point at the intersection of Sixth Street and River Road seen above.

If excavation and sewer installation proceed as planned, Pettenger said those roads could reopen later next month, easing some of the current detours.

Pettenger said excavation has been especially challenging, with crews encountering dense blue basalt beneath the roadway.

“That is some serious hard stuff,” Pettenger said. “We’re doing all we can do to get through it.”

He said crews are installing the new sewer line roughly 14 feet below the surface — about twice the depth of the existing pipe — and are wearing out roto hammer bits approximately every three days while breaking through the rock.

To speed progress, Pettenger said multiple excavation sites are operating at the same time along the corridor.

He also urged drivers to use caution near construction zones.

Drivers need to use caution in and around construction zones as workers are exposed to traffic while performing road work.

The construction zone runs along West First Street from Webber Street near the NORCOR jail to the Union Street underpass near Pacific Fruit Growers. According to project plans, crews are installing approximately 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.

Crews began work in late 2025 and have continued through winter conditions, including rain and wind, as they trench through existing pavement and lay new lines. The project will also include full street restoration once underground work is complete, with new curbs, gutters, ADA-compliant ramps, sidewalks and asphalt paving.

City officials and contractors are urging the public to plan ahead and use alternate routes, as access to Union Street from Webber will also be restricted during the closure.