February 8, 2006

TriMet rolls out options for moving buses off Portland Mall

Buses will move off 5th & 6th avenues during light rail construction

TriMet today unveiled two options for moving buses off the Portland Mall in downtown Portland during construction of the Portland Mall Light Rail segment. The extension is part of the proposed 8.3-mile I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail project set to begin construction in mid-January 2007.

The project will help revitalize the Portland Mall, bring MAX light rail service through the heart of downtown and add capacity for the growing MAX system.

Currently, 29 bus lines provide service along the Portland Mall, but no pair of streets in downtown Portland can handle all of the buses from the Mall. TriMet has developed two options for relocating service between mid-January 2007 until spring 2009: 

Option 1

Moving 21 bus lines to 3rd and 4th avenues would most closely mirror current downtown bus service on the Mall. Additionally, eight lines would move to SW Columbia and Jefferson streets and provide improved east-west connections. Six bus lines that cross the Mall would remain unchanged. 

Option 2

This option is the same as Option 1, except only 15 bus lines would move to 3rd and 4th avenues and six bus lines would move to 10th and 11th avenues. Service on 10th and 11th would use Portland Streetcar shelters and stops, and increase the need for transfers.

Comment period

More detailed information on the options is available at trimet.org and at open houses set for mid-March. TriMet is soliciting public comment on these options through March 2006. The relocation plan will be finalized by June 1, 2006.

About the Project

The I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail project will add light rail to 5th and 6th avenues between Union Station and Portland State University, and between Gateway Transit Center and Clackamas Town Center. The line is expected to open in September 2009.

To see a visual simulation of the I-205/Portland Mall project, visit trimet.org