Design work on the Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project was paused in 2020 after voters rejected a local funding measure for multiple transportation improvements. In early 2022, Metro, TriMet and the Federal Transit Administration completed the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and issued a Record of Decision (ROD) to ensure the project is eligible for future federal funding. See Metro’s project website to access to these documents.

Marquam Hill Connector
Online Open House

Marquam Hill attracts over 18,000 employees, patients, students and residents each day from around the region. To serve these stakeholders, the Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project will include a connection from the Gibbs Street MAX Station on Barbur Boulevard to Marquam Hill.

This online open house is designed to help you understand the process for choosing the Marquam Hill Connector and allows you to explore the current connector types under consideration.

 

bird's eye view of Marquam Hill

Understanding the Challenge

Sectional view

 

Connecting the many destinations on Marquam Hill to the Gibbs Street MAX Station is a complex challenge. While less than 600 feet (2–3 city blocks) separate Barbur Boulevard from Terwilliger Parkway, the slope rises steeply, with nearly 120 vertical feet between the two points. From Terwilliger Parkway, destinations including Oregon Health & Science University, Shriners Hospital for Children and the VA Medical Center disperse in different directions, another 100–200 feet higher on the hill.

It is also important for the connector to serve people visiting destinations on Marquam Hill in manner that is sensitive to Terwilliger Parkway’s historic context and natural environment.

 

Terwilliger Parkway Terwilliger Parkway

Preliminary Connector Ideas

Back in 2018, an earlier phase of the SW Corridor Project evaluated the impacts of four connection options. However, the Locally Preferred Alternative for light rail, adopted by Metro in November 2018, did not choose a connection option, deferring the selection to a Green Ribbon Committee comprised of project and Marquam Hill stakeholders.

In early 2019, the Green Ribbon Committee and a group of staff and community leaders began exploring a broad range of options, which included bridges, gondolas, escalators and more. After Committee input, this list was narrowed down to four potential options.

 

preliminary connector types Committee’s preliminary connector types

Project Goals & Criteria

To help the Green Ribbon Committee evaluate the different connector options, a list of goals and criteria was developed.

Access

Provide an efficient, convenient, equitable and comfortable connection for all users

Budget/Schedule

Cost effective and timely within the Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project

Environmental

Protect or enhance the area’s natural resources and sensitive habitat

Operational

Provide a long-term, sustainable connection for current and future users

Context

Best fit with, enhance or improve the unique historic, scenic, recreational and design characteristics of this area

Safety

Create a safe and secure connection for all users

Experience

Create a signature connection that provides a high-quality user experience and inspires civic pride

 

Connector Types

The Green Ribbon Committee is currently evaluating four types of connectors. The information below includes a variety of possible alignments for each type of connector, as well as a more detailed evaluation of one potential alignment. Note that the current process is focused on only choosing a type of connector. Further design and alignment decisions will be made later in the process.

 

OPTION 1: Bridge & Elevators

Bridge and Elevators illustration

Bridge & Elevators details

 

OPTION 2: Inclined Elevators

Inclined Elevators illustration

Inclined Elevators details

 

OPTION 3: Tunnel & elevators

Inclined Elevators illustration

Tunnel & elevators details

 

OPTION 4: Aerial Tram

Inclined Elevators illustration

Aerial Tram details

 

Next Steps

Input from this online open house will be used by the Green Ribbon Committee to make a recommendation about the connector type at their May 8 meeting. The recommendation will then go to the SW Corridor Steering Committee for consideration at their meeting on May 13. Review the meeting schedules online.

Determining the type of connector is the first step in the process. Details of the connector design and alignment will be developed over the next several years and will include additional opportunities for public input and engagement.

 

Drag timeline to scroll

2011–2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

Planning

Design

Construction

 

Environmental Review

Testing and training

Federal Funding

Connector type selected
May 2019

Potential regional funding vote
November 2020

Federal funding
September 2022

Service begins
September 2027

Draft conceptual design report
November 2019

Final conceptual design
March 2020

 

 

Comments or questions?

Call 503-962-2150 or email for more information.

 

 

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