TriMet preps for largest MAX rail replacement project ever

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Rails being prepared for installation along First Avenue.
TriMet

TriMet is days away from the biggest rail replacement to date on the MAX system. May 8 through May 21, MAX Blue, Green and Red lines will be disrupted and all MAX lines will run on reduced frequency as crews complete major, necessary improvements on the alignment along 1st Avenue in Downtown Portland.

 

This section of track is part of the original MAX alignment that has been serving riders for 30 years.

“As part of our efforts to make transit better, we’re tackling some important track projects to improve MAX service and increase MAX reliability,” said TriMet’s Chief Operating Officer Doug Kelsey.

Crews will begin by saw-cutting around the portions of track that are being removed on First Avenue. Work has already started at Elmonica, the rail maintenance facility in Beaverton, to prepare the rails that will replace these sections.

Once the cutting is done, demolition of the trackway under the Morrison Bridge will begin. This involves removal of rails, switch machines, ties and salvageable cobblestone from around the switches. A few days in, the same demo work happens at NW 1st and Couch. Once the prep work is done at both locations, TriMet install new track, switch machines, conduit, rebar and a new isolation membrane that guards against stray currents.

Once everything is in place, TriMet will align the rails to assure they are the right distance apart and check their vertical and horizontal placement. Then the concrete will be poured, first under the Morrison Bridge and later at Couch.

During the second week, TriMet will begin the third major project near Skidmore Fountain. The curved section of rail here wears quicker than straight track and will be replaced. This part of the project should take about five days.

While all this track work is going on, crews will have a good opportunity to make some other improvements along First Avenue including flushing and improving drainage under the Morrison Bridge, track drains will be cleaned, hardware on the overhead wire will be replaced and the feeder breaker at the Morrison Bridge substation will be retrofitted.

TriMet will also be repairing and improving the surface alongside the rails that will benefit all street users.

 

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