TriMet MAX Orange Line hosts “First Ride”
Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane complete the first ride on the future MAX Orange Line.
TriMet
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and other officials and project partners took the first ride on the TriMet Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project, the future MAX Orange Line, on May 15.
It was the first time MAX trains operated at regular speeds with passengers along the entire 7.3-mile route between downtown Portland and north Clackamas County, which will open in 119 days.
“Investments in transit are essential if we are going to preserve the mobility of goods and people who live and work in this region,” said Gov. Brown.
“The Orange Line will deliver more and better transit service, along with expanded bike and pedestrian pathways plus $40 million in roadway improvements between Milwaukie and downtown Portland. All of this while coming in on time and under budget, which is a great accomplishment,” said TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane.
The guests boarded new Type 5 MAX trains at the Lincoln St/SW 3rd Ave Station in Downtown Portland and traveled across Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, through Southeast Portland to the end of the line at the SE Park Ave Station. TriMet is buying 18 Type 5 trains from Siemens.
The project is the region’s sixth MAX construction project and will improve transit in this corridor that extends from the terminus of the MAX Green and Yellow lines at Portland State University in Downtown Portland to South Waterfront, SE Portland, Milwaukie and North Clackamas County.
