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South Corridor Phase II: Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project

Planning and conservation  ›  Transportation and land use projects  ›  Portland-Milwaukie light rail

Review the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision. Construction is expected to run from summer 2011 to spring 2015. The new MAX line will serve North Clackamas County, Southeast Portland, South Waterfront and downtown Portland.

The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project concluded the planning process with the publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (October 2010) and issuance of the Record of Decision (November 2010). The Final EIS analyzes the project in detail and establishes mitigation for significant impacts, which is confirmed and approved by the Record of Decision.Learn more

Construction is expected to run from summer 2011 to spring 2015.

Overview

The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project will travel 7.3 miles, connecting Portland State University in downtown Portland, inner Southeast Portland, Milwaukie and north Clackamas County. MAX service on the alignment is scheduled to begin in 2015. By 2030, when this future light rail line will carry up to 27,400 daily rides, there will be approximately 22,000 households and 85,000 employees within walking distance of Portland-Milwaukie light rail stations.

Local jurisdictions approved the light rail's route, terminus and station locations by adopting a Locally Preferred Alternative in July 2008. TriMet will carry the project through construction, working closely with property owners, businesses and neighborhoods. Visit TriMet's Portland-Milwaukie site for the latest on the new Willamette River bridge, project updates and opportunities to participate. Go

The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project is a partnership among Metro, TriMet, City of Portland, City of Milwaukie, City of Oregon City, Clackamas County, Multnomah County, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Previous study and public participation

The Federal Transit Administration approved the official release of the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement on May 9, 2008. This document presents details of the project alternatives and their environmental and transportation performance to decision-makers and the public to help them identify a preferred alternative. More about the SDEIS

The release triggered a 45-day comment period and a series of public meetings formally announced in the federal register Notice of Availability. Comments received from May 9 through June 23, 2008 are included in the comment report and are responded to in the Final EIS. More about the comment report

Project timeline

• Spring 2007: refinement work, steering committee decision on Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement and definitions of alternatives report
• Summer 2007: Conceptual engineering, environmental and financial analysis and travel demand forecasts
• Winter 2007 through Spring 2008: Publish Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Federal Transit Administration review and approval
• Summer 2008: 45-day public comment period and public meetings, locally preferred alternative decision
• Spring 2009 through Fall 2010: Publish Final Environmental Impact Statement, Federal Transit Administration review and approval
• Winter 2011: Federal Transit Administration issues the Record of Decision
• 2011 through 2015: Construction of light rail line, stations and bridge

Related Documents

• Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project Locally Preferred Alternative Report 2.9M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published July 24, 2008
• Locally Preferred Alternative Map 2.9M Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published July 24, 2008
• Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement Notice of Availibility 49K MS Word | Published May 9, 2008
• Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement topics and quick summary 92K Adobe Acrobat PDF | Published October 29, 2007

Related Links

Metro Council gives final approval for light-rail projects

News release: Jan. 16, 2004 - The Metro Council unanimously approved two decisions that will make way for more detailed engineering work and environmental analysis on the I-205 and downtown Portland segments of the South Corridor light-rail project.

South Corridor Policy Committee members step up to face future transportation needs

News release: Feb. 14, 2003 - Committee unanimously recommends construction of two phases of light rail as the preferred major transit investments in the southeastern portion of the region.

Feds okay next step in South Corridor transit project

News release: Dec. 9, 2002 - Signing of the South Corridor Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) signals its completion.

Related Internet links

• Federal Highway Administration

  (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov)

• TriMet: I-205 Light Rail

  (http://www.trimet.org/i205/index.htm)

• Portland Development Commission

  (http://www.pdc.us)

• Federal Transit Administration

  (http://www.fta.dot.gov)

• Federal Highway Administration, Oregon division

  (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ordiv/)

• TriMet: Portland Mall Light Rail

  (http://trimet.org/portlandmall/)