transpo
trimet’s
folly?
A new bridge and a
new MAX line may
be a beacon and a
lofty example of
Portland’s dedication
to transportaion
alternatives, but was
the orange line the best
idea for increasing the
quantity of riders and the
quality of that commute?
With all these potential
new riders, we decided to
see what they might be
getting themselves into
by jumping on the MAX.
On September 12th of next year, the controversial TriMet
MAX Orange line will be open to the public. Portland has one
of the most comprehensive public transportation systems in the
country with an estimated 12.6% of the population commuting
in 2008. The line will start in downtown Portland and end in
downtown Milwaukie, and is the second part of a two-phase
transportation proposal known as the South Corridor Project –
which connects Clackamas County to Multnomah County.
The South Corridor project will consist of 10 new stations, 7.3
miles of rail line – expanding the MAX system to 60 miles and
97 stations. A new bridge, called Tilikum Crossing, is under
construction and is being erected specifically for the new MAX
Orange Line.
It is the first of its kind for multi-modal bridges that carry light
rail, buses, bikes, and pedestrians. Private automobiles are not
allowed on the bridge and the Portland Streetcar is expected to
extend to the bridge in the near future. The MAX Orange Line
will run about every 15 minutes, every 10 minutes during rush
hour, and every 30 minutes during the late hours.
According a TriMet November 4th press release, project
partners included The Federal Transit Administration, State
of Oregon, Clackamas County, Metro, City of Milwaukie,
Multnomah County, City of Oregon City, Oregon Department
of Transportation, City of Portland, Portland Development
Commission and TriMet.
Proponents of the plan say that the new line will benefit
pedestrians and bikers, and increase development in the
metropolitan area surrounding Portland. Mary Fetsch, chief
media spokesperson for TriMet stated that, “At the end of
the day, this new plan provides more opportunities for jobs,
housing, community resources, educational opportunities, and
mobility” and that, “Metro led the effort through the idea state
through the community and jurisdiction.”
The Center for Transit-Oriented Development conducted
a report - called Rails to Real Estate - which conclud