TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Request to create a mid-year project to replace failing culverts on the West Salem Sewage Pump Station access road at its crossing with Glenn Creek in the vicinity of Wallace Road NW and Brush College Road NW.
Ward(s): Ward 8
Councilor(s): Varney
Neighborhood(s): West Salem Neighborhood Association
Result Area(s): Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure
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SUMMARY:
summary
During the December 17-20, 2025, storm event, high flows in Glenn Creek caused a culvert and road failure on the access road to the West Salem Sewage Pump Station at its crossing with Glenn Creek. An urgent and permanent restoration of the access road is needed to ensure access to the pump station for operations and maintenance. Council approval to create a mid-year wastewater project in the FY 2026 construction budget will allow design activities to begin immediately.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council authorize the creation of a mid-year sanitary sewer project “West Salem Pump Station Access Road Emergency Repair” in the FY 2026 Wastewater Non-Assessed Construction Fund 255, funded with $700,000 of Utility Rates?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the creation of a mid-year sanitary sewer project “West Salem Pump Station Access Road Emergency Repair” in the FY 2026 Wastewater Non-Assessed Construction Fund 255, funded with $700,000 of Utility Rates.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
• The December 17-20, 2025, storm washed out the access road to the West Salem Sewage Pump Station at its crossing with Glenn Creek, leaving an approximately 8-foot-wide void in the road. The West Salem Sewage Pump Station provides critical wastewater services to West Salem, and access is required to ensure continuous operation.
• The existing crossing consists of three 54-inch-diameter corrugated metal pipe culverts, which are severely corroded and failing, resulting in the roadway washout. Steel plates have been installed over the washed-out area as a temporary means of access until a permanent solution can be constructed.
• The Oregon Department of State Lands identifies Glenn Creek as Essential Salmonid Habitat at this location. Permitting requirements do not allow replacement of the failed culverts in-kind, instead requiring a structure that is better for fish passage. Preliminary review by Engineering staff has identified a small bridge to span the creek as the most cost-effective solution.
• The project will remove the existing failed culvert pipes at the crossing, replace them with a prefabricated bridge, and restore the stream channel underneath the bridge.
• The access road at this location lies within a City access easement through privately-owned agricultural land. The conditions of the easement require the City to maintain the gravel roadway which includes the Glenn Creek crossing.
• Acquisition of permanent and temporary easements will be required for construction and maintenance of the new bridge at the Glenn Creek crossing.
• The total estimated project cost to design and construct the West Salem Pump Station Access Road Emergency Repair project is $700,000.
• Utility Rate funds have been identified to fund the project.
• There is sufficient funding and expenditure authority in the adopted Wastewater Non-Assessed Fund’s Unspecified project category to fund $700,000 for design and construction in FY 2026.
BACKGROUND:
Every fiscal year unspecified funds are budgeted in each capital improvement category. They are available for unforeseen conditions arising within existing projects or to address new urgent projects that come up during the fiscal year.
Allen Dannen, PE
City Engineer
Attachments:
1. Attachment 1 - West Salem Pump Station Access Road Emergency Repair Project Location Map