The Springwater Corridor Bike Path is one of Portland's most heavily used bicycle commuting routes, running along the east bank of the Willamette River. In the spring of 2012, an approximately 80-foot section of the path's embankment failed, consuming roughly four feet of asphalt and shoulder. The path sits on the Willamette River's lower terrace bank adjacent to a private railroad, where alluvial soils are continuously exposed to transient river level changes and erosional forces that remove buttress material and trigger localized slope failures.
Any solution had to satisfy the strict City of Portland Greenway Code, which protects the natural, scenic, and recreational qualities of the Willamette River corridor. The initial phase was further limited to activities above the Ordinary High Water Elevation (OHWE) until Army Corps of Engineer permits could be secured—requiring a construction approach that could begin immediately without any in-water work.
GeoStabilization identified the Soil Nail Launcher™ as the ideal tool for this constrained application. Unlike conventional drilling, the Launcher installs Launched SuperNails® without producing soil spoils—making it uniquely suited for environmentally protected greenway environments. Operating from the existing trail platform, the Launcher stabilized the over-steepened headscarp while keeping all equipment out of the restricted riverbank zone.
The permanent repair combined Launched SuperMicropiles™ for axial support and scour protection with a Geosynthetically Confined Soil® (GCS®) Wall topped with a BioWall® facing. The BioWall consisted of geosynthetic bags filled with topsoil, faced with turf reinforcement mat, and planted with over 700 live willow stakes—delivering native aesthetics that satisfied Portland's greenway standards while providing robust structural performance. Full public access to the bike path was maintained throughout the entire project.
