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    1. Rail
    2. Infrastructure

    TriMet seeks public feedback to help refine design of Southwest Corridor Light-Rail Project

    Feb. 6, 2020
    The agency is hosting five open houses and an online open house to gather feedback for the conceptual design of the new MAX line.
    Related To: TriMet
    TriMet
    Tri Met 5e3c480e06046

    TriMet is seeking public feedback on the conceptual design of the Southwest Corridor Light-Rail Project, which will bring high-capacity transit and consistent travel time to one of the most traffic congested corridors in the region.

    TriMet and project partners have released the Draft Conceptual Design Report for the Southwest Corridor project. The report highlights project principles, goals and objectives. It also illustrates the preliminary design features of the 13 stations and related improvements along the 11-mile light-rail route between downtown Portland and Bridgeport Village in Tualatin.

    Visit a Southwest Corridor open house

    TriMet encourages the public to explore the report and provide feedback through March 27, 2020. To do so, it has launched an online open house at trimet.org/swcorridor/design. People can learn about station designs and project elements and submit feedback online. TriMet is also hosting five in-person open houses beginning Feb. 12.

    The feedback will help identify challenges and guide ongoing design efforts for the Southwest Corridor Light-Rail Project in the coming years. An updated, final report will be issued in mid-2020.

    Moving a growing region

    TriMet says the Southwest Corridor is home to more than 10 percent of the region’s population and some 75,000 new residents and 65,000 new jobs are expected in the corridor by 2035. While estimates show an up to 17 percent increase in traffic congestion on I-5 between Portland and Tigard by 2035, the new light-rail line will provide a reliable and consistent travel time. Trips between downtown Portland and Tualatin will take just 30 minutes, with connections to regional centers including West Portland Town Center, Tigard Triangle, downtown Tigard and Bridgeport Village.

    Increasing safety, planning for affordable housing

    The project will also include a variety of improvements to make it safer and easier to get around by all modes. Ten miles of new sidewalks and over six miles of upgraded bike facilities will be built along the project corridor. Roadways will be repaved and rebuilt with new upgraded traffic signals. The project will also include major stormwater improvements, including across nearly 70 acres of existing impervious surface. In addition to travel and environmental improvements, Southwest Corridor project partners are working on several initiatives aimed at preserving and building additional affordable housing.

    Southwest Corridor Light-Rail Project at a glance

    • TriMet, Metro, Oregon Department of Transportation, Washington County and the cities of Durham, Portland, Tigard and Tualatin are working together to keep this region moving.
    • The 11-mile light-rail line between downtown Portland, Tigard and Tualatin will provide faster, more frequent and consistent service to the region’s fastest growing corridor.
    • The project will improve connections to key destinations, including Portland State University, OHSU, Portland Community College Sylvania, the Tigard Triangle, downtown Tigard and Bridgeport Village.
    • The new light-rail line will create a 30-minute travel time between downtown Portland and Bridgeport.
    • Projections show 37,500 daily trips by 2035.
    • Roads, sidewalks and bikeways will also be constructed or improved along the project alignment.
    • Cost is expected to be $2.8 billion, with about 50 percent of the funding expected from the federal government.

    Construction is expected to begin in 2022 with the project opening in 2027.