TriMet puts final touches on station design project in Gresham

TriMet in the Portland, Ore., area is nearing completion on work to improve safety and security at the Gresham Central MAX station. This pilot project-the first of its kind in the TriMet system-includes installation of barrier railing. The project also includes improved lighting and making the platforms a fare zone. This change allows fare inspection to occur on the platform rather than after riders board the train. Other work at the station includes painting the shelters and pedestrian enhancements that help orient riders to be more alert to approaching trains.

The final phases of
construction include installing architectural columns at the gateway to the
fare zones. Installation of the columns is set to be complete by Labor Day.
Work is also under way to refurbish "The Living Room" public art at
the station. Work on the art will continue into fall.

Federal stimulus dollars
from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are funding the project.

Federal stimulus funds are
also being used to improve safety and upgrade stations along the Eastside MAX
line. The work includes:

Pedestrian improvements

* Upgrading various street
and rail crossings at 12 light rail stations

* Installing bollards,
chains and railings to channel pedestrians to help them be more aware of train
movement

* Installing signs and/or
pavement markings such as "Look Both Ways," "Stop Here,"
and "Danger No Trespassing"

Station painting

* Five Eastside MAX
stations are being repainted: E 102nd Ave, E 122nd Ave, 162nd Ave, E 181st Ave
and Gresham Central

Bike parking improvements

* Replacing bike lockers
with space for a total of 12 bicycles at three stations and adding new bike
lockers with space for four bicycles at Gresham City Hall MAX station.

* Creating a new Bike &
Ride facility with security cameras, including renovating an existing bike
parking facility at Gresham Central TC, with secure parking for 30 bikes. The
Bike & Ride is set to open in October.

Tactile paver replacement

* Replacing damaged and
worn tactile pavers that alert riders of trackway at five stations

TriMet was awarded $53.3
million in federal stimulus funds to be used to fix failing infrastructure,
make the transit system more robust and put Oregonians to work. TriMet’s 29 stimulus
projects are projected to fund about 740 direct jobs and 1,100 indirect jobs.