In November 2018, Metro Council approved the light rail Preferred Alternative recommended by the Southwest Corridor Steering Committee. This option was identified based on analysis documented in the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), input from the public and agencies including comments on the Draft EIS, the project staff recommendation, and consideration of FTA’s rating criteria for large transit projects. You can read the Steering Committee's recommendation for the preferred light rail route here:
The Preferred Alternative would construct an 11-mile extension of the MAX system from Portland State University to Tigard and Bridgeport Village in Tualatin. Once opened in 2027, the project can provide the backbone for enhanced local bus service in the Southwest Corridor and will make substantial investments into the transportation infrastructure of the Southwest Corridor including:
- a shared transitway that allows for express bus service from Beaverton and Hillsdale into downtown Portland
- continuous sidewalks and protected bike lanes on both sides of Barbur from I-405 to Barbur Transit Center
- improved pedestrian connections to the OHSU and VA complex on Marquam Hill and to Portland Community College’s Sylvania campus
- a rebuilt driving surface for Barbur including reconstruction of two aged viaducts
- greatly enhanced stormwater treatment along Barbur to support a cleaner Willamette River
- a new operations and maintenance facility for TriMet MAX vehicles
TriMet is advancing the designs for the Southwest Corridor Light Rail Preferred Alternative, which will bring more reliable travel options to one of the most congested travel corridors in our region, improve commuting times and help connect people with jobs, classes and other destinations.
There’s a lot of work ahead, and you’re invited to be involved. The TriMet project website includes more details on the light rail project, its timeline and information on ways to get involved.
Metro continues to partner with TriMet and the Federal Transit Administration to complete the environmental review process. The Draft EIS was published for public and agency review in June 2018, followed by a 45-day comment period. A team of more than 50 people from Metro, TriMet and the Federal Transit Administration prepared the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The Final EIS, expected to be published in summer 2020, will focus on the Locally Preferred Alternative approved by local cities and the Metro Council in 2018, evaluating more detailed project designs than those available for the Draft EIS, committing to impact mitigations and responding to comments made on the Draft EIS. The Project Library contains the Draft EIS and other related environmental review documents.