WATCH: TriMet’s East Burnside MAX Improvements Project
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Thermal expansion causes the overhead wires to sag in the summer months.
Courtesy of TriMet
PORTLAND, Ore. - TriMet details an upcoming project that will take place from April 27th to May 10th to improve the original line's durability.
According to TriMet, crews will perform upgrades on the MAX Blue Line. Located to the east of the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center, crews will replace and upgrade equipment as part of the East Burnside MAX Improvements Project. The decision to upgrade this segment of the line comes as a result of not being able to cool down the overhead wires. The wires need to remain tight for trains to continue operating at normal speeds. Heat above 90 degrees causes the wires to sag due to thermal expansion. TriMet says it has used weight stacks that connect to the wires to keep them tight during these temperature increases. However, due to record-setting temperatures over recent years, those weight stacks have hit the ground.
To prevent the sagging from happening, crews will implement a system “that applies tension to keep the wires taut as temperatures creep upward.” The system will reportedly apply more pressure than the original weight stacks. As opposed to the ton of pressure from the weight stacks, the new system will apply about 3,000 pounds of pressure. This work takes place before the summer when temperatures increase. TriMet states that overhead wires totaling 8,000 feet will receive attention. In addition to upgrading the overhead wire system, crews will replace a rail crossing and make improvements to other areas.
Aside from the new system to keep overhead wires tight, crews will replace a rail crossing located at Northwest Eleven Mile Avenue in Gresham. The current crossing was installed several decades ago and sees heavy use. During construction, TriMet says it will also include between 50 to 100 new rail ties. As part of the project, crews will take advantage of the closure and clean closed stations. They will work to clean and remove graffiti, litter, and brush from the east side of the MAX Blue Line when trains are not in operation.
In the video below, TriMet describes its work on the project:
The work will take place over the course of two weeks, and Trimet has stated it will work to limit impacts to automobile traffic. To ensure minimal disruption to train service, TriMet will also offer shuttle buses to its riders. Information on routes can be found here.
