There are several projects looking at roadway improvements and great bus service between Northeast Portland and Clackamas Town Center – over the next few years and beyond.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation’s Building a Better 82nd project will construct critical safety and maintenance repairs, including more street lighting, new and upgraded crossings, smoother pavement, improved curbs ramps and upgraded traffic signals. A larger Civic Corridor Investment Strategy – focused on seven miles from Northeast Killingsworth Street to Southeast Clatsop Street – will prioritize longer-term improvements.
The Oregon Department of Transportation is also planning key improvements along 82nd Avenue, south of Portland in Clackamas County.
FX: Upgrade and replacement for Line 72 on 82nd Avenue
Along with these investments, partners from Clackamas County to Portland are working together on the 82nd Avenue transit project to explore a transit investment that would replace the existing Line 72 bus on 82nd Avenue with TriMet FX™ – the agency’s new Frequent Express service.
FX will bring faster, more reliable transit service with new stations along 82nd Avenue, making it easier, safer and more comfortable for people to get around.
The bus currently serving 82nd Avenue – TriMet’s Line 72 – has the highest ridership of any bus line in greater Portland. Though it carries more people than the MAX Orange or Yellow or lines, it shares the road with automobiles, freight and local deliveries. The current buses are often crowded and get stuck in traffic. Many of the stops are spaced too closely for efficiency, and they lack amenities like shelters, lighting and digital displays featuring real-time arrival information.
Planning for FX on 82nd
Metro and TriMet are leading the planning process for the 82nd Avenue FX service. Upgrading to FX would require federal funding for full design and construction. This first step to qualify for federal grants is for partners to determine a route and general station locations.
Partners are exploring potential station locations between Clackamas Town Center and a yet-to-be determined turnaround point north of Sandy Boulevard.
This could also mean changes to the part of Line 72 that currently serves Killingsworth Street and other destinations to the west. Riders whose trips include both the 82nd and Killingsworth portions of today’s Line 72 would need to transfer between the new FX line and bus service for Killingsworth.
The Killingsworth line would have at least the same level of service as today. Future public discussions will help decide how best to serve and provide good connections for riders.
The project’s steering committee – made up of elected officials, agency leaders and community representatives – is expected to select the route, station areas and northern turnaround point this winter. Once the partners agree on the transit project, Metro and TriMet will apply for federal funding to continue design and community engagement.
Construction could begin as early as 2027, and FX service could start running on 82nd Avenue as early as 2029.
Share your thoughts today
Visit the 8nd Avenue transit project to stay involved. Join the online open house through May 31 to learn more about FX service and give your thoughts on potential station locations. You can also learn more about the Building a Better 82nd improvements planned by the Portland Bureau of Transportation.
Partners are analyzing data about current and future ridership and will bring that information and potential options for the northern turnaround to the community to ask for input this summer.