TriMet, TransLink to renovate historic stations

TriMet and TransLink are set to renovate historic stations in their service areas to better improve the public transit experience. 

TriMet to renovate NE 82nd Ave. MAX Station 

TriMet is starting construction on the renovation of the nearly 40-year-old NE 82nd Ave. MAX Station. According to the agency, a two-day disruption from June 8-9 is needed to prepare the area around the station for significant construction activity beginning later this summer. Crews will use the two days to install a stairway on the southbound side of Northeast 82nd Ave., across the street from the regular entrance to the MAX station.   

TriMet says that once the temporary platform opens, the new stairs will allow riders to access it. The elevator will remain operable during most of the renovation project. A platform-level pathway will connect the elevator to the temporary platform.  

The agency notes that when trains return to regular service on June 10, there will be no access to the regular NE 82nd Ave. MAX Station, as crews perform renovations there through the end of the year. While construction is taking place, riders will use the temporary MAX platform to board and exit trains, allowing MAX trains to continue to serve the station during construction. 

The two-day disruption will affect MAX Blue, Green and Red lines. Shuttle buses will replace MAX service between the Oregon Convention Center MAX Station and the Gateway/NE 99th Ave. Transit Center. The shuttle buses will depart every five minutes for most of the day.   

The agency notes crews have already constructed a temporary MAX platform west of the station that will open to riders on June 10 and offer many of the same amenities, including signage, lighting and a shelter. The stairs leading down to the temporary platform will be on the opposite side of Northeast 82nd Ave., adjacent to the southbound lanes and across the street from the entrance to the MAX station. 

According to TriMet, the station is not only one of its oldest, but it is also vital in connecting East Portlanders to jobs, education, healthcare and services. The renovation will include: 

• Stairway construction: The existing stairway will be rebuilt. 
• Shelter renovation: The current shelter will be re-roofed and refurbished, preserving its historic design. A second shelter will be added to the east side of the platform. 
• Lift building removal: The non-operational lift building at the end of the platform will be removed completely to improve sight lines. Constructed in the 1980s, TriMet says the buildings formerly housed devices that lifted people in mobility devices into MAX trains. They became obsolete when low-floor trains were introduced in the 1990s, and many have already been removed from the system.  
• Barrier replacement: The existing bollard and cable barrier on the edge of the platform will be replaced with a guardrail for improved safety. 

Additional improvements will include upgraded signage and lighting.  

TransLink to upgrade Canada Line’s Oakridge–41st Ave. Station 

TransLink will be closing the Canada Line’s Oakridge–41st Ave. Station at 11:00 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday nights over seven weeks to allow for important upgrade work. 

The agency says the temporary closures will happen in two phases and are necessary to ensure customer safety. Crews will be installing steel structural columns near the station entrance and large wooden beams to support the new canopy and roof. 

Closures will take place during the following periods: 

• Sunday, June 8, to Thursday, June 12 
• Wednesday, July 2, to Wednesday, Aug. 6, excluding Sunday, Aug. 3  

According to TransLink, the current upgrades project will make the station more accessible and better equipped to serve the growing neighborhood. Currently, more than 7,000 people use Oakridge–41st Ave. Station, and that number is expected to grow with increasing density in the surrounding area. 

The full station upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of the year and will include: 

• Two new escalators to improve accessibility at the station. 
• A new street-level station entrance canopy for better weather protection. 
• Direct underground mall access. 
• New public art inside the station.