In 2015, TriMet plans to open the seven mile long Portland to Milwaukie light rail line.  The project’s centerpiece is a multi-use transit bridge over the Willamette River – the first new bridge built across the Willamette in the last 35 years.  The bridge will carry the new light rail line, several bus routes that currently travel over the Ross Island Bridge, two pedestrian and cyclist paths, and will be built to accommodate the streetcar. 

The proposed line will begin at Portland State University, travel through the South Waterfront District, cross the river to OMSI, and travel through southeast Portland to Milwaukie ending in Oak Grove.  New stations on the eastside will include one in the Clinton-Division area, two in the Brooklyn neighborhood, one in Sellwood/Eastmoreland near Reed College, a station at a new park and ride near Ardenwald on Tacoma, one in downtown Milwaukie and a final stop in Oak Grove with an additional park and ride. 

Community leaders in southeast Portland and Milwaukie hope that this will breath new life into their communities – which have been growing in popularity despite being overlooked for renewal projects and having historically been saddled with projects that are less desireable to many neighbors - such as the rail freight yards and lines. 

There is some concern with regard to the issues on how the MAX line will effect the neighborhoods – from the necessary removal of properties from private ownership, to the potential safety issues surrounding the stations.  TriMet announced this week the FTA will only fund 50% of the costs, leaving a 10% shortfall as they had planned on receiving 60% of the funds from the Federal government.  TriMet has yet to decide if they will seek additional funding or scale back on parts of the current plans.

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