Construction for the ongoing Providence Park expansion is on schedule, according to the latest update from the Portland Timbers.
To accommodate more fans, the Timbers are moving forward with an expansion of Providence Park. As part of the project, the facility will receive about an additional 4,000 seats on its east side.
Construction began during the current offseason, and will take place in multiple phases. The Timbers, who will play their home opener in April after five straight road games to accommodate the construction schedule, say that work on the expansion will continue during the 2018 season. The club also says that the full project is on track for a spring 2019 completion. More from The Oregonian:
The first phase of construction this offseason has focused primarily on foundational and utility work, which includes Turner Construction laying down 228 micropiles that will support the addition of three new levels and a larger roof on the east side of the stadium. The project will also include the widening of the sidewalk and the addition of a covered arcade on SW 18th Ave.
As part of the construction, the fence on the east side of the stadium and a portion of the current east side roof has been removed. The fence will be reassembled ahead of Portland’s 2018 home opener in April.
Construction will continue throughout the 2018 season. A permanent massive crane will be installed in the next few weeks and the first of three new levels on the east side of Providence Park will be constructed during the season. But the Timbers have scheduled the project in phases to mitigate the impact on fans while games are played at Providence Park this year.
“There will be some rerouting of fans in the concourse, but it’s not going to impact the fan experience very much,” [Timbers President of Business Mike] Golub said. “We’ll have the stadium in a place that is obviously safe and manageable.”
In an immediate change to Providence Park for 2018, the Timbers are installing a new FieldTurf playing surface. The Timbers are scheduled to host Minnesota United FC for their home opener on April 14.
Rendering courtesy Portland Timbers.
RELATED STORIES: Portland Approve Providence Park Expansion Agreement; Providence Park Expansion Pushes Timbers’ Home Opener to April; Design Commission Signs Off on Providence Park Expansion; Portland to Consider New Terms for Providence Park Tax Breaks; Portland Moves Forward with Providence Park Expansion; Timbers Pitch Providence Park Expansion to City; Portland Timbers Pitch Providence Park Expansion; Merrit Paulson Discusses Providence Park Expansion; Portland Timbers Mapping Out Stadium Expansion; Portland Timbers Mulling Providence Park Expansion