Southwest Corridor Plan

Go to the main menu
Go to the search form

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 the meantime, Metro, TriMet and the Federal Transit Administration continued working to complete the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to ensure the project is eligible for future federal funding. Click the "Environmental review" tab below to access the FEIS.

back

Graphic telling readers to click the environmental review tab to access the Southwest Corridor Final Environmental Impact Statement, which was published in January 2022

Planning a new light rail in the Southwest Corridor

Southwest Corridor: Time gained

From Tualatin and Sherwood to Tigard and Southwest Portland, more people are choosing to live, work and play in the Southwest Corridor. The Southwest Corridor Plan was a comprehensive vision for the investments needed to keep this area moving and support the people who live here as the area grows.

Metro created an Equitable Development Strategy with local partners to explore how a proposed light rail and other investments can support community development and improve the quality of life for people of all incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Equitable Development Strategy and related ongoing work, see the Southwest Corridor Equitable Development Strategy page.

Voters did not approve Measure 26-218, which would have funded multiple transportation improvements in the region, including the proposed MAX Light Rail line in the Southwest Corridor. As a result, design work on the project is on pause. In the meantime, Metro, TriMet and the Federal Transit Administration continued working to complete the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), which was made available in January 2022. Click the "Environmental review" tab above to access the FEIS.

See the TriMet project website for more details on the light rail project design.

To qualify for federal financial support, the project is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to complete an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS. Scoping for the environmental process occurred in September 2016. A Draft EIS (DEIS) was published in June 2018.

The Final EIS (FEIS), which was made available in January 2022, presents information about the project's potential impacts and benefits, and specifies strategies to minimize or mitigate significant impacts. Appendix J of the FEIS includes responses to tribal, agency, and public comments received on the DEIS. At least 30 days after the official publication of the FEIS in the Federal Register on January 28, 2022, FTA will issue a Record of Decision on the Project’s compliance with NEPA and other environmental requirements.

Physical copies of the FEIS are available for review at the following locations:

Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97232
TriMet Customer Support Center at Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204
Hillsdale Library, 1525 SW Sunset Boulevard, Portland, OR 97239
Capitol Hill Library, 10723 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219
Tigard Library, 13500 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard, OR 97223
Tualatin Library, 18878 SW Martinazzi Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062

Final Environmental Impact Statement

SW Corridor FEIS Volume 1 Combined (Front Matter, Summary and Chapters)

67.96 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

Individual FEIS chapters

SW Corridor FEIS Volume 1 Combined (Front Matter, Summary and Chapters)

67.96 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Front Matter

5.83 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Summary

7.82 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Chapter 1 - Project Introduction

6.09 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Chapter 2 - Alternatives Considered

10.34 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Chapter 3 - Transportation Impacts and Mitigation

5.78 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Chapter 4 - Environmental Impacts and Mitigation

29.46 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Chapter 5 - Evaluation

4.61 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Chapter 6 - Public Agency Permits

4.69 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Chapter 7 - Draft EIS Comment Summary

4.61 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Chapter 7 - Draft EIS Comment Summary

4.61 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

FEIS appendices

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix A - Detailed Maps and Descriptions of the Alternatives

11.96 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix B - Supporting Materials for Final EIS Analysis

29.77 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix C - Environmental Justice Compliance

7.49 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix D - Final Section 4(f) Evaluation

38.72 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix E - Agency Coordination and Correspondence

18.58 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix F - Properties Affected by Acquisitions and Permanent Easements

12.65 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix G - List of Preparers

4.39 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix H - References

4.43 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix I - Preferred Alternative Selection and Project Refinements

8.73 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix J1 - Draft EIS Comments - Introduction

5.78 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix J2 - Draft EIS Comments - Responses

4.66 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix J3.1 - Draft EIS Comments - Original Comments - Tribe and Agency

14.59 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix J3.2 - Draft EIS Comments - Original Comments - Organizations

14.32 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix J3.3 - Draft EIS Comments - Original Comments - Businesses

20.36 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix J3.4 - Draft EIS Comments - Original Comments - Petitions

36.88 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix J3.5 - Draft EIS Comments - Original Comments - Individuals

52.45 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix K - Memorandum of Agreement for Historic and Archaeological Resources

13.53 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix L - Biological Opinion

4.59 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix M - Mitigation Plan

4.61 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix N - Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act Documentation

6.58 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Appendix O - Cross-Reference of Street and Address Changes

5.14 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

FEIS attachments

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment A - Transit Impact and Travel Demand Forecasting Results Report

11.12 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 1 (Report)

22.57 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 2 (Appendices B1 to B3)

4.98 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 3 (Appendix B4, Part 1 of 3)

4.15 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 4 (Appendix B4, Part 2 of 3)

55.96 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 5 (Appendix B4, Part 3 of 3)

64.87 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 6 (Appendix B5, Part 1 of 2)

5.15 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 7 (Appendix B5, Part 2 of 2)

12.66 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 8 (Appendices B6 to B8)

1.53 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 9 (Appendices B9 to B12)

18.72 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 10 (Appendices B13 to B16)

10.71 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 11 (Appendices B17 to B20)

15 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 12 (Appendices B21 to B32)

29.31 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 13 (Appendices B33 to B56)

1.76 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report Update, Part 14 (Appendices B33 to B56)

9.61 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment C - Cultural Resource Survey

65.86 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment D - Ecosystems Results Report

8.41 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment E - Wetland Delineation Report

34.7 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment F - Noise and Vibration Technical Results Report

14.39 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

SW Corridor FEIS Attachment G - Archaeological Site Protection and Monitoring Plan

8.09 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 19, 2022

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

Southwest Corridor DEIS: Executive summary

4.54 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

SW Corridor DEIS

22.44 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

DEIS appendices

Appendix A - Detailed Maps and Descriptions of Light Rail Alternatives

12.77 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Appendix B - Supporting Materials for Draft EIS Analysis

19.59 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 20, 2018

Appendix C - Environmental Justice Compliance

2.73 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Appendix D - Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation and Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Evaluation

9.38 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Appendix E - Potential Design Refinements and Options

3.94 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Appendix F - Properties Affected by Acquisitions

11.05 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Appendix G - List of Preparers

368.22 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Appendix H - References

322.04 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Appendix I - Project Background and Alternatives Considered

1.57 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

DEIS attachments

Attachment A - Transit Impacts and Travel Demand Forecasting Results Report

6.55 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 1 (Report)

19.54 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 2 (Appendix A)

3.86 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 3 (Appendix B)

24.82 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 4 (Appendices C and D)

224.82 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 5 (Appendix E)

19.65 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 6 (Appendices F through J)

1.07 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 7 (Appendix K)

42.76 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 8 (Appendices L through Q)

1.35 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 9 (Appendix R, Part 1)

37.47 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 10 (Appendix R, Part 2)

38.14 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment B - Transportation Impacts Results Report, Part 11 (Appendices S through CC)

4.1 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment C - Cultural Resource Survey, Part 1 (Report)

17.56 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment C - Cultural Resource Survey, Part 2 (Appendix A)

16.62 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment C - Cultural Resource Survey, Part 3 (Appendices B and C)

10.27 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment C - Cultural Resource Survey, Part 4 (Appendices D through F)

13.92 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

Attachment E - Noise and Vibration Technical Results Report, Part 1 (Report)

11.89 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 6, 2018

The following documents show the decision-making process undertaken from 2016-2018 to prepare a Draft EIS and select the Light Rail Preferred Alternative.

EIS Methodology

8.99 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jul 1, 2021

DEIS Comment Summary

1.11 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Aug 22, 2018

CAC Preferred Alternative Report

240.18 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Aug 22, 2018

Staff Preferred Alternative Report

20.33 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Aug 22, 2018

Initial Route Proposal Presentation

747.19 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Mar 12, 2018

Comment Map report

479.07 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 3, 2018

June 2016 - July 2017 Public Engagement Summary

3 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Oct 3, 2017

Light Rail Project Alternatives for Environmental Review

Text and maps explaining the MAX project being evaluated in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

6.19 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Feb 27, 2017

Light rail project Purpose & Need, adopted December 2016

The Purpose & Need adopted by the steering committee will be used to select the preferred light rail alignment.

168.86 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Mar 1, 2017

What is a land use final order?

A land use final order is a single land use permit for the proposed light rail line. Rather than TriMet seeking land use permits from each city and county for just that portion of the project that is within each jurisdiction, the land use final order is a single permit for the entire light rail line granted by one entity (Metro). Land use final orders have been granted in the past for all MAX lines in the region. In addition to the land use final order, the new light rail line will need to obtain federal, state and local permits related to the design and construction of the project.

Land Use Final Order for SW Corridor

7.49 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jul 1, 2021

Final Statement of Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

1.05 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jul 1, 2021

Analysis to Support LUFO Findings

306.39 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jul 1, 2021

Staff Report

31.57 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jul 1, 2021

LUFO Legislation

60.06 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jul 1, 2021

LUFO application

7.95 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Nov 1, 2018

LUFO steering committee recommendation

5.72 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Nov 1, 2018

Land Conservation and Development Commission criteria

902.96 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Nov 1, 2018

The Southwest Corridor Light Rail Preferred Alternative is the alternative identified as the favored course of action to meet the project’s purpose and need. The Southwest Corridor Steering Committee recommended a preferred alternative based on analysis documented in the Draft 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. The directly affected local jurisdictions, including the TriMet Board of Directors, adopted resolutions of support for the steering committee recommendation, and Metro Council took these resolutions into consideration in their approval of the Preferred Alternative and its incorporation in the Regional Transportation Plan.

Locally preferred alternative report

40.79 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Aug 20, 2018

Metro Council resolution 18-4915

24.94 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Nov 13, 2018

The Preferred Alternative would have constructed an 11-mile extension of the MAX system from Portland State University to Tigard and Bridgeport Village in Tualatin. The project would have provided the backbone for enhanced local bus service in the Southwest Corridor and would make substantial investments in 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

For reports about alternatives considered prior to the selection of the Preferred Alternative, such as the comparison between light rail and bus rapid transit, send an email to [email protected] or call 503-813-7535.

These documents provide the background leading up to selection of the Shared Investment Strategy, the core approach adopted for the Southwest Corridor Plan in 2013, including public input from initial outreach and existing conditions analysis. Updates on the strategy are also included below.

Shared Investment Strategy project update, May 2016

686.16 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published May 31, 2016

Shared Investment Strategy factsheet: Winter 2015

4.37 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Feb 6, 2015

Winter 2014 project update

6.62 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Dec 1, 2014

Evaluation report: Active transportation

4.13 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 3, 2013

Evaluation report: Roadway projects

3.47 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 3, 2013

Evaluation report: High capacity transit

3.26 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jun 3, 2013