SW Fairmount Boulevard Landslide Response Updates
 Debris and vegetation dislodged from the eastern edge of SW Fairmount Boulevard after heavy rains last month.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) are partnering to respond to the recent landslide on SW Fairmount Boulevard, between SW Sherwood Place and SW Marquam Hill Road.
Background
On Thursday, March 12, a large landslide occurred on SW Fairmount Boulevard following an atmospheric river that deposited several inches of rain in the Portland area. The landslide affected adjacent properties and the public right-of-way. It tore away at the eastern edge of Fairmount's asphalt roadway, exposing underlying soils and conduit protecting utilities. The landslide accumulated debris and vegetation as the slide path continued east, down the hillside.
Closures
Shortly after the landslide occurred, PBOT closed SW Fairmount Boulevard to vehicle traffic in the immediate landslide vicinity. The closed section of SW Fairmount Boulevard remains open to people walking and biking. The area is signed and barricaded to prevent people from getting too close to the landslide, which is an active work zone and presents safety risks to the traveling public. This closure will remain in place into the summer.
 Barricades in place at the slide closure. People walking and biking may navigate around the closure using the soft-surface shoulder along SW Fairmount Boulevard.
Local access
Vehicle traffic is limited to Local Access Only on SW Fairmount Boulevard between SW Talbot Road and SW Sherwood Place. South of the landslide, vehicle traffic is limited to Local Access Only on SW Fairmount Boulevard between the landslide closure and SW Marquam Hill Road.
Detours
PBOT staff recently installed an updated detour route around the slide closure area. The detour directs drivers to use SW Fairmount Boulevard to avoid the slide closure when accessing area destinations like Oregon Health and Science University. PBOT encourages drivers to use the signed detour route, rather than other neighborhood streets, to avoid the slide closure area.
All travelers need to follow posted warning signs, detours, and closures. Conditions can change quickly and PBOT will be monitoring the area.
 An updated detour route directs drivers to use SW Fairmount Boulevard to access area destinations. Segments of SW Fairmount Boulevard are signed as Local Access Only between SW Talbot Road and SW Marquam Hill Road, to the north and south of the landslide closure.
What's been happening?
Following the landslide, PBOT quickly responded by closing the affected section of SW Fairmount Blvd to traffic and putting a signed detour route in place. PBOT staff also covered the roadway and upper bank of the slide with sandbags and plastic sheeting. After the initial response, a PBOT-BES project team was formed and PBOT surveyors began collecting field survey data at the landslide site.
The week of March 30, 2026, PBOT surveyors completed topographic survey of the landslide area, and a contractor hired by BES conducted exploratory borings to collect soil data in the roadway and slide areas. Staff at the BES Materials Testing Lab then began evaluating the soil samples. These efforts are informing the geotechnical report and solution alternatives that the project team began developing the week of April 3, 2026.
 A contractor conducts soil borings to collect soil data in the landslide area.
In parallel with these efforts, PBOT staff have been in close communication with adjacent property owners and nearby residents, as well as affected stakeholders such as Oregon Health and Science University, Portland Public Schools, TriMet, Portland Fire and Rescue, and the Portland Police Bureau.
What's next?
In the coming weeks, PBOT and BES staff will develop several solution alternatives to permanently stabilize the slope where the landslide occurred, then select a preferred alternative to advance for further design and engineering. PBOT expects to bring a contractor on board and complete construction in summer 2026.
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