#pbot — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #pbot, aggregated by home.social.
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A hole hath appeareth.
From PBOT:
(May 1, 2026) Following the emergence of a sinkhole earlier this afternoon, Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) crews from the Environmental Systems Division are conducting emergency repairs on SW Alder Street between 2nd and 3rd avenues.
To safely repair the street, it must be closed to all motor vehicles overnight, with the expectation that it will be open by early Saturday morning.
Crews arrived on site at about 4:45 p.m. and early assessments showed a sinkhole sized at approximately 6x6x4 feet. A camera investigation followed and found two holes leaking from a 12” main line of clay pipe from 1898 running between two maintenance holes. These leaks had slowly been forming a cavity under the road surface. As can be the case with sinkholes, particularly in warmer months, this cavity was exposed when temperatures warmed this week and the asphalt softened.
Crews will now excavate the road and replace the pipe before covering the road with a steel plate. PBOT paving crews will return early next week to resurface the road and give it a new, smooth surface.
The traveling public is advised to expect delays, travel cautiously, observe all closures and directions by flaggers, and use alternate routes if possible. Local access to residences and businesses will remain available. Public transit riders should check TriMet.org for service impacts.
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Wow. PBOT released a long email detailing some of what PBOT does. Long. Some highlights:
"1,769 calls from public agencies to tow vehicles that were blocking traffic or causing other public safety issues in all of Multnomah County, including Portland. PBOT's rules mean car owners are charged no more than a set rate -- $277 for a typical sedan -- when their vehicle is towed by Portland Police or PBOT parking enforcement."
"Towing companies are required to inform vehicle owners and Portland Police whenever a vehicle is towed. They are required to have a 24-hour dispatch call center to be able to let consumers know that they have the vehicle and a process for retrieval during established business hours (additional fees may apply for after hours pick ups). The parking lot has to have adequate signage warning about towing and providing contact information. All these requirements are listed in a PBOT Administrative Rule. The rates they charge for towing and storage are also regulated per bureau's approved Private Property Impound Rates."
"In 2025, PBOT revoked the private property impound permit for Retriever Towing, which had been behind on paying for permits and had been found to have 52 unpermitted tows in less than four weeks. PBOT required the company to refund consumers for all unpermitted towing charges. Even after the bureau offered payment plans, the company remained behind on paying routine service and dispatch fees"
"All drivers and vehicles that provide Private for-Hire Transportation services on Portland streets are required to go through an annual review. This makes sure that Portland’s PFHT drivers are professional, safe, and exceptional; the vehicles that provide PFHT services are well maintained and meet high performance standards. Failure to do so will result in a fine and even revocation of the company’s permit to operate."
"More than 10,000 trips per year are provided in a wheelchair accessible van. PBOT provides a $15 per ride subsidy to the taxi, Uber or Lyft company that provides the ride, because accessible service requires vehicles that are more expensive to operate than a standard sedan. All companies are required to provide accessible service when requested. PDX WAV is a program that creates a single point of contact for wheelchair users to call when they are looking for a ride. You can order an accessible Uber or Lyft on their app by selecting the option when requesting a ride, or call PDX WAV at 503 865-4WAV (865-4928) to be directed to a taxi company dispatcher who will help match you with a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) or call a taxi company directly."
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TriMet announced they will run some trains all night long to keep the overhead wires from freezing.
PBOT has treated all of the major roadways, and will continue doing so.
PGE has their trucks on standby and has contracted with other workers, if needed.
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TriMet announced they will run some trains all night long to keep the overhead wires from freezing.
PBOT has treated all of the major roadways, and will continue doing so.
PGE has their trucks on standby and has contracted with other workers, if needed.