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    1. Rail
    2. Infrastructure

    TriMet’s MAX Blue Line Improvements project underway with some service impacts beginning April 12

    April 6, 2021
    Multiple improvements are happening throughout the oldest rail line, such as replacing rail and improving the durability of the trackbed.
    Related To: TriMet
    TriMet
    Trimet 606c868635d03

    TriMet’s MAX Blue Line Improvements project is underway now through May 23, 2021.

    Multiple improvements are happening throughout the oldest light-rail line. From replacing rail, just 20 feet in some areas and more than 2,600 feet in the curved trackway west of the Hollywood Transit Center, to adding new concrete rail ties in that area, this will improve the durability of the trackbed and make the ride smoother. TriMet is making other improvements as well, including replacing two heavily used switch machines at Gateway Transit Center and rebuilding rail crossings inside the transit center where buses cross MAX tracks.

    Much of the work is being done in overnight hours or in a way that it doesn’t disrupt MAX service. However, there will be some days where trains will run on a single track in both directions on the west side of the MAX system. There will also be a few times, stretching from two days to nine days, when shuttle buses will replace trains in areas.

    TriMet will alert riders in advance when the MAX Blue Line Improvements project affects service. Before making trips, TriMet suggests checking trimet.org/alerts for the latest information. Those who prefer email or text message can sign up to receive notifications in their inbox. Riders planning to use TriMet to reach their vaccination appointment will want to give themselves even more time to ensure they reach their appointment ahead of their scheduled time.

    Plan ahead for some MAX delays on the west side

    TriMet will be running MAX trains in both directions on a single track at times between April 12 and April 25 and in areas between Hatfield Government Center in Hillsboro and the Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson St Station.

    While running both eastbound and westbound on a single track keeps riders moving without disrupting MAX service, TriMet recommends riders plan extra time as trains will run slower during this operation. Delays may last up to 20 minutes. Riders also may need to board or exit trains on opposite platforms.

    Plan ahead for MAX disruptions on the east side

    MAX Blue, Green and Red Lines will be disrupted the weekend of April 17-18 due to rail crossing improvements and switch machine replacements near the Gateway Transit Center.

    Trains will be disrupted on MAX Blue Line between E. 122nd Ave and Civic Drive stations from May 3, through May 7, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Shuttle buses will provide service between those stations during those times. Riders should plan an extra 20 minutes for trips in this area.

    The agency will have TriMet employees out on the system to assist riders during the disruptions. Signs and other visual cues will also be posted to act as a guide to riders and direct them to shuttle bus locations.

    Rail replacement

    Over time, rail can wear down due to the friction and jostle of regular train movement. One of the improvements during the MAX Blue Line Improvements project will be replacing around 2,600 feet of rail curved at a slight angle in a section of track that runs along I-84. This is the oldest stretch of the MAX system going back to 1986.

    In this same area, crews will replace around 500 wood ties with a newer type of concrete tie. These can be used in the same places as wood ties because they respond to vibrations in a similar way and have the same dimensions. However, they are much more durable and their use in this project is a first for TriMet. Crews will also replace much smaller sections of rail in other areas of the Blue Line as regular maintenance is necessary as a light-rail line ages.

    TriMet will use the opportunity to perform other upgrades as well, including replacing two of the oldest switch machines near the Gateway Transit Center and clearing the tracks of debris and replacing two rail crossings. The crossings are at the north and south ends of Gateway Transit Center where buses cross the tracks. These are also original parts of the MAX Blue Line. These rail crossings have supported the weight of daily bus traffic for more than 30 years and will be replaced with crossing panels that provide more support. Once the cast-in-place concrete slabs are installed, the ride will be smoother when buses go over the crossing.

    Making transit better

    Performing necessary improvements to MAX tracks, switches and equipment helps to improve service by making the system more resilient and minimizing delays and disruptions in the future. Over the past five years, on-time performance of MAX trains has improved from 75 percent in November 2015 to around 90 percent today. Upgrades and routine maintenance also reduce the wear and tear on trains and brings the latest technology to older sections of the light-rail system like the MAX Blue Line, which has been in use for more than 30 years.