Springwater Corridor marks next milestone in PGE transmission upgrade
As work advances toward Gresham, the project is strengthening a critical transmission corridor that has served Oregon communities for more than a century.
Sept. 09, 2026
Every day, cyclists and runners on the Springwater Corridor and Cazadero trails pass by a piece of Oregon history, likely without even knowing it. One of Oregon’s oldest transmission lines — the first in Oregon to use steel lattice towers — follows these trails for nearly 32 miles. For more than 100 years, this line has helped move power from PGE’s hydroelectric sites on the Clackamas River to the larger electric grid. PGE is replacing this line with modern, fire-resistant steel poles and upgraded powerlines to make the electric system safer and more reliable.
The first phase of the project began south of Estacada in July 2025 and will continue moving north along the Cazadero Trail through October 2026. PGE expects the project to reach the Springwater Corridor Trail in September 2026 and Gresham, the endpoint of the first phase, by February 2027. The second phase, which follows the Springwater Corridor Trail from Gresham to southeast Portland, will begin in early 2028 and be completed in 2030.
The new poles are stronger, so fewer are needed to replace the existing towers and the upgraded powerlines they support can carry nearly twice as much electricity. Along the way, PGE has already recycled about 125 tons of steel, with more than twice that amount expected by completion.
Learn more at portlandgeneralspringwater.com 
, where you’ll find construction photos and videos, an explanation of the replacement process sequence and a map of the entire transmission line.
About Portland General Electric Company
Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to nearly 960,000 customers serving an area of approximately 2 million Oregonians. Since 1889, Portland General Electric (PGE) has been powering economies, delivering safe, affordable and reliable electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE continues to make progress toward emissions reduction targets, and customers have set the standard for prioritizing clean energy with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country. PGE is ranked a top ten utility in the 2025 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index. In 2025, PGE employees and retirees volunteered over 18,300 hours to more than 400 nonprofit organizations. Through the PGE Foundation, along with corporate contributions and the employee matching gift program, more than $5 million was directed to charitable organizations supporting economic growth and community resilience across our service area. For information: portlandgeneral.com/news
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