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July 28, 2008

MAX service interruption on the Steel Bridge for construction in August

Shuttle buses will transport riders across the river

Starting Saturday, August 2, the Steel Bridge will close to all MAX service for three weeks of construction on the I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project. There will be no MAX service between the Rose Quarter Transit Center and the Old Town/Chinatown stations. Shuttle buses will be available to take riders across the Willamette River via the Burnside Bridge.

Riders should allow an extra 15-30 minutes for their commute if using the shuttle. Riders can walk across the lower deck of the bridge, which takes about 15 minutes, or bike across in about half of that time. Shuttles will have limited space for bikes.

Westbound service

  • Catch the westbound shuttle bus at the Convention Center Station, which drops off riders at the Old Town/Chinatown Station.
  • If walking or biking across the bridge, deboard at the Rose Quarter Transit Center.
  • Westbound Red Line trains will become northbound Yellow Line trains at the Rose Quarter Transit Center with service to the Expo Center Station.

 Eastbound/Airport service

  • Catch the eastbound shuttle bus at the Old Town/Chinatown Station, which drops off riders at the Rose Quarter Transit Center.
  • Riders heading to the airport should board any eastbound train, take the shuttle across the river and then board a Red Line train at the Rose Quarter Transit Center.
  • Southbound Yellow Line trains are not servicing the west side; once they reach the Rose Quarter Transit Center they will become eastbound Red Line trains with service to the airport.
  • Due to operating constraints, fewer MAX trains will be running on the west side between Beaverton Transit Center and downtown Portland.

TriMet staff will be on hand to help and signs will be posted to help direct riders to shuttle buses and pedestrian/bike paths. The bridge is expected to open to vehicle traffic and MAX service on Monday, August 25.

Construction to be done

  • Rail tie-in work to connect existing MAX tracks with new tracks for the I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail project.
  • Installation, maintenance and repair of the overhead wires that power MAX.
  • Replacement of existing rail expansion joints and new asphalt paving.
  • Permanent bridge repairs to the city of Portland approach structure on the east side of the bridge.

For complete schedules and trip planning, or to receive updates by e-mail, visit us online at trimet.org or call 503-238-RIDE weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.   

About the project

TriMet's fifth MAX line will add light rail between Gateway Transit Center and Clackamas Town Center, and to 5th and 6th avenues in downtown Portland between Union Station and Portland State University (PSU). 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.