Each day, thousands of people ride buses and MAX in Portland’s downtown. People ride to work, to school, to the doctor, or to meet with friends, family and colleagues. For some, the central city is the final destination; others are passing through on their way to places like Gresham, Beaverton or Hillsboro.
At the busiest hours of the day, 40 light rail trains must cross the river and traverse downtown – one train every 90 seconds. As the region grows and the demand for light rail increases, greater Portland will need at least 64 MAX trains through downtown every hour, more than one train each minute. Our current system can’t support that change.
In 2019, Metro and TriMet led the MAX Tunnel study in partnership with city and county partners. Together, examined the potential for a light rail tunnel from approximately Lloyd Center to Goose Hollow in Southwest Portland to improve transit as the region grows. Funding for additional analysis, such as an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act, was included in the Get Moving 2020 ballot measure referred to voters by the Metro Council. Portland-area voters considered the proposal in the November 2020 election, but the measure did not pass.
The information from the study will continue to inform future MAX planning to help meet the growing transportation needs of greater Portland.