September 5, 2007

New Portland Mall Information Center open to the public

TriMet’s light rail project featured

TriMet launches the new Portland Mall Information Center in downtown providing visitors with a look at the Portland Mall Light Rail project. Visitors to the center can see what 5th & 6th avenues will look like when the project is completed in September 2009. The center is located at 519 SW 6th Avenue and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"Light rail construction is a very visible part of what’s going on downtown," said Carolyn Young, TriMet's Executive Director of Communication and Technology. "A lot of people want to know more about construction techniques and timelines, about the future of light rail, and how things will look when the dust settles. The Information Center provides an interactive experience to answer questions about the project and offer a glimpse into the future of downtown Portland."

Portland Mall Information Center

• Video demonstration on how light rail will operate on the Mall
• Collection of video clips highlighting construction activities
• Images from a live construction camera on 6th between Yamhill & Morrison
• A slide show of block-by-block improvement ideas on 5th & 6th avenues that would help revitalize the Mall
• A history of transit in the region including the Portland Mall Light Rail project
• Overview of green construction practices

About the project

TriMet’s fifth MAX line will add light rail between 5th and 6th avenues in downtown Portland between Union Station and Portland State University (PSU), and Gateway Transit Center and Clackamas Town Center. It is the first light rail extension into Clackamas County, it will serve the heart of downtown Portland and the busiest transit destination in the TriMet system - PSU. When it opens in September 2009, it will help revitalize the Mall and poise the region for future rail extensions.