Vote also advances planning for Lake Oswego, Southwest Corridor planning
The Metro Council today unanimously approved upping the region's contribution to the Milwaukie MAX line project, helping the project gather nearly all the money needed to start construction next summer.
With the council vote, the region will borrow against an expected $2 million to $3 million a year in regional flexible funds to generate $27.4 million for the Milwaukie project, $6 million for planning mass transit between Portland and Lake Oswego and $6 million for planning along the Oregon 99W/Barbur Boulevard corridor. That adds to $72.5 million already allocated to the Milwaukie project from the flexible funds program.
Councilors said they were pleased the project would bring $745 million in federal light rail money to the region and generate 14,000 jobs.
The vote underscored the regional support for the project and for using public transit to improve existing neighborhoods and infrastructure. The plan was unanimously endorsed by the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, made up of policymakers from across the region – even in areas not directly impacted by these projects, Councilor Kathryn Harrington noted.
"Elected officials in northern Washington County understand the importance of a vibrant and vital regional public transit system," Harrington said.
Only a handful of people spoke at a public hearing on the proposal Thursday. Some said they opposed public spending on light rail in general. A Southeast Portland resident said neighborhoods there have been actively seeking light rail for many years and expect that the MAX line will connect homes and neighborhood commercial districts.
Two Metro councilors were absent from the meeting.