Oregon Public Broadcasting

Watch an Oregon Field Guide segment on The Big Pipe project.

In the last 18 years, workers have built a labyrinth of tunnels and shafts underneath Portland -- to catch sewage before it reaches the river. 

There are now several of miles of tunnels -- big enough to drive a truck through – and about a dozen shafts, one of which could swallow the Portland Building whole.

The builders of what’s become known as ‘The Big Pipe’ are scheduled to tell Portland City Council how things are going Wednesday. 

Kristian Foden-Vencil went underground to see the work for himself, but not before going through an extensive safety check.

Big Pipe Project Audio Slideshow

Riding The Big Pipe Train

Video by Kristian Foden-Vencil/OPB News