TriMet’s MAX Blue Line Disruption in April for Rail Crossing Upgrades

A car travels across the rail crossing at East Burnside and Southeast Stark streets as a MAX approaches in the distance.

Courtesy of TriMet

PORTLAND, Ore. – A section of Gresham’s MAX Blue Line will be closed for a week in April to allow for rail crossing upgrades.

Part of Gresham’s MAX Blue Line will be closed from April 7^th to 13^th to allow for rail crossing upgrades. These upgrades will “increase the durability of the MAX system and create a better commute for riders and motorists alike,” according to TriMet. The section between E 172^nd Avenue and Civic Drive stations along the MAX Blue Line will be closed. This affects five stations. Shuttle buses will serve all five of these stations. TriMet encourages its riders to visit trimet.org/planner for planning their trips during this closure.  

During the closure, the Gresham MAX Improvements Project will take place and “replace the crossing and rail located at the intersection of Southeast Stark Street and East Burnside Street, near the Rockwood/SE 188^thAve MAX Station” that has been in use for the last 38 years. By replacing and improving this crossing, it is “an important part of providing efficient, reliable, and safe light rail service – now and in the future.” This work comes as rail crossings “see more activity than almost any other place on the MAX system.” Over time, crossings sink in as vehicles continue to pass over them. The work “will benefit MAX Blue Line riders, who will feel a smoother rider once it’s completed.”

In addition, TriMet says it has completed major construction on areas of the A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project. This includes a new MAX station at Portland International Airport and the completion of a second track. Throughout March, TriMet says it completed work that will allow it to extend the Max Red Line to Hillsboro that will start this summer.