The costs of Portland’s new water filtration plant – one of the most expensive municipal projects in the city’s history – will rise an additional $450 million, running the total to more than $2.5 billion, water officials said Thursday.
Completion of the Bull Run plant also will be delayed by two years, the officials said, largely because the city had to pause construction while it faced an appeal from neighbors and other critics. The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals last week issued a decision affirming the project’s permits.
The controversial project has been in the works for eight years, finally breaking ground two years ago. The latest $2.56 billion cost estimate – up from $2.1 billion in April 2024 – is a five-fold increase from the $500 million plan first approved by city elected leaders in 2017.
Portland water treatment plant costs climb past $2.5 billion, project completion faces 2-year delay
The costs of Portland’s new water filtration plant – one of the most expensive municipal projects in the city’s history – will rise an additional $450 million, running the total to more than $2.5 billion, water officials said Thursday.
Completion of the Bull Run plant also will be delayed by two years, the officials said, largely because the city had to pause construction while it faced an appeal from neighbors and other critics. The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals last week issued a decision affirming the project’s permits.
The controversial project has been in the works for eight years, finally breaking ground two years ago. The latest $2.56 billion cost estimate – up from $2.1 billion in April 2024 – is a five-fold increase from the $500 million plan first approved by city elected leaders in 2017.