May 10, 2006
Buses along Portland Mall relocated during light rail construction
TriMet today unveiled an updated plan to relocate buses off the Portland Mall during construction of the Portland Mall Light Rail project. The project is part of the 8.3-mile I-205/Portland Mall MAX Light Rail extension set to begin construction in mid-January 2007.
After receiving hundreds of public comments and completing additional traffic analysis, TriMet updated its Option 1 proposal. Riders wanted service to closely mirror existing Mall operations, keeping buses close together to ensure convenient transfer between lines.
Updated Plan
- 19 bus lines will run on 3rd and 4th avenues
- 8 bus lines will run on Columbia and Jefferson streets
- Line 14-Hawthorne will run on SW 2nd Ave and cross the Morrison Bridge before returning to its regular route on SE Hawthorne.
- Other routing or scheduling changes will affect lines 1, 16, 41, 55, 63, 68 and 95.
The plan will keep traffic on these streets moving, provide access to parking garages and accommodate buses during construction. Buses will be relocated between mid-January 2007 until spring 2009. For full plan details visit trimet.org.
Comment period
TriMet is accepting public comment on the updated bus relocation plan through May 31, 2006:
- Email: busplan@trimet.org
- Call 503-238-RIDE weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- Fax: 503-962-2481
- TTY: 503-238-5811
About the Project
The I-205/Portland Mall MAX 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 set to open in September 2009.