Project engineer updates council on North Transmission Line progress, delays to some segments

Casey Ferguson, project engineer for the City of Beaverton, gave the council an update on the North Transmission Line intertie, describing recent construction milestones, ongoing work and schedule shifts for multiple segments of the multiyear water resiliency project.

Ferguson said Segment 1 is broken into three subsegments (1a, 1b and 1c). Segment 1a, along Baseline, is complete with final pavement restoration and water lines in service. Segment 1b is underway with final pavement restoration beginning the week after the update; water lines are in service up to Lisa Street. Segment 1c, along Southwest 170th between Baseline and TV Highway, is underway; the TV Highway and Union Pacific Railroad boring is complete and the associated connection to the south transmission line was completed May 5.

The south transmission line connection was called out as already in service. Ferguson said construction typically involves two to four crews in the corridor working day and night depending on need. He reported the city had received 17 calls or emails with questions or complaints since construction began on July 8, 2024.

On Segment 2 (Washington County's Walker Road Phase 3), Ferguson said work had been delayed by one remaining easement acquisition; the county's latest schedule shows bidding in September and construction starting in spring/summer 2026. Segment 3 (outside Beaverton, primarily in Hillsboro) is divided into four subsegments; segment 3.1 (Walker Road between NW 185th and NE Alleclaque) is roughly 50% complete, with refined design and alignments for later subsegments under review. Ferguson said anticipated construction completion for segment 3 is June 2028.

Mayor Lacey Beatty and councilors praised the project team. Beatty and Councilor Hartmeyer Prigg noted the project is a long-sought, multi‑decade effort to diversify Beaverton's water supply and reduce dependence on Portland’s supply. Ferguson acknowledged contractors Emery and Sons and consultant RH2 for their roles on the project.

Why it matters: City staff said the intertie, and the broader set of treatment and distribution projects, create a secondary and seismically resilient water supply for Beaverton and support long-term water security in the face of climate change and seismic risk. The project is a major component of the water utility's capital plan and debt-funded investments referenced in the council's rate discussion.

Details and schedule highlights - Segment 1a: Baseline East–West from 150th to 170th — complete with final pavement restoration and water lines in service. - Segment 1b: 170th north–south between Baseline and Road — construction underway; pavement restoration scheduled to begin soon; water lines in service up to Lisa Street. - Segment 1c: Southwest 170th between Baseline and TV Highway — underway; TV Highway and Union Pacific Railroad boring complete; south transmission line connection to NTL finished May 5. - Segment 2 (Walker Road Phase 3 — Washington County): Delayed; county plans to go to bid in September and start construction spring/summer 2026 after final easement acquisition. - Segment 3 (outside city limits, largely in Hillsboro): Broken into four segments; segment 3.1 at ~50% complete; anticipated overall segment 3 completion ~June 2028.

Ferguson noted ongoing community contacts (17 calls/emails since July 8, 2024) and that multiple construction crews are in the corridor as needed. Councilors requested continued communication with affected neighborhoods and a future opportunity for council to inspect completed paving and restoration.