Years-long A Better Red project to improve MAX light rail reliability and extend MAX Red Line into Hillsboro completed on time, on budget

TriMet’s A Better Red project came to a celebrated close Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, with the official opening ceremony of the MAX Red Line extension into Hillsboro, marking the conclusion of TriMet’s biggest light rail project in nearly a decade.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) joined TriMet and local partners on Wednesday to celebrate the extension of the MAX Red Line 10 stations west into Hillsboro. It’s the final piece of A Better Red—a three-year, two-phased project to increase the light rail system’s reliability and extend the Red Line to serve MAX stations in a growing job center of Washington County as well as give more people a one-seat ride to and from Portland International Airport. Following the ceremony, attendees took a ceremonial ‘first ride’ through the new area being served by Red Line trains.

“I take great pride and am honored to host the celebration today—marking this exciting milestone for TriMet and the entire region,” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. said. “This project would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of so many individuals and organizations. A Better Red isn’t just about extending the line—it’s about making our entire MAX system better. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when we all come together, and together, we are building a brighter, more connected future for the people of this region.”

FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool and local partners joined TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. at the Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds MAX Station on Wednesday, which now serves as the western end of the MAX Red Line. A Better Red would not have been possible without the support of local and federal partners, including the FTA, which covered a substantial portion of the $215 million budget with a $99.9 million Small Starts grant. The project was completed on time and on budget.

“Congratulations to the people of Portland and the TriMet team for completing the ambitious ‘A Better Red’ project, which will improve service and result in smoother, faster travel, allowing people throughout the Portland region to leave their cars behind,” FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said. “We appreciate that this project—like all transit projects—has supported so many jobs in the area and will continue to do so. In fact, 44% of the subcontracting firms are certified disadvantaged business enterprises in Oregon, demonstrating our shared commitment to equity and ensuring everyone has a chance to  benefit from federal transit investment.”

A Better Red also received financial support from Metro, allocating nearly $9 million in funding, and the Port of Portland, which contributed about $2.3 million.

While Metro Council President Lynn Peterson was not able to attend the A Better Red official opening ceremony, she said, “Thinking regionally means helping people move regionally. TriMet’s Red Line extension makes it easier than ever to use MAX to move around our region, supporting the thousands of Oregonians who have chosen to live in the communities along our rail system. Faster commutes, shorter waits and fewer transfers are all great news for our region’s commuters.”

The Port of Portland has played a vital role in the MAX Red Line from the very beginning, part of the public-private partnership that led to the creation of the line—the first train-to-plane connection on the west coast when it opened in September 2001. Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold was not able to be at the ceremony but shared this:

“Extending the MAX Red Line into Hillsboro gives people who live here, visitors and employees a faster, car-free way to get to and from PDX,” Robinhold said. “I love that we’re celebrating the completion of A Better Red the same month we opened PDX’s new main terminal because both projects were part of an overall plan to better serve our community for decades to come.”

Washington County applauds A Better Red

Washington County officials, along with business and community leaders, turned out for Wednesday’s ceremony and applauded A Better Red and the opportunities additional MAX light rail service brings to people living in this growing area. 

“Smart transit infrastructure does more than reduce traffic congestion; it drives economic growth by making our region more attractive for investment,” Westside Economic Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Mazzara Myers said. “By investing in projects like A Better Red, TriMet, the Federal Transit Administration and the jurisdictional partners are not just placing track and adding stops—they are laying the groundwork for economic prosperity, community resilience and long-term sustainability.”

“A Better Red demonstrates and fulfills our collective regional commitment to providing reliable, convenient access to jobs, homes, recreation and services,” Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fia said. “It also supports our regional commitment to climate-friendly initiatives by allowing more people to reach their destinations without cars.”

“I’m thrilled to celebrate A Better Red today because it offers Beaverton residents a reliable, climate-friendly alternative to driving, connecting them to Portland, Hillsboro, and beyond,” Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty said. “Good transit is essential to our community’s growth, and this project will make life easier for so many, especially the 30% of our residents who can’t drive.”

“MAX light rail does more than just move people; it moves people closer to their dreams,” Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway said . “This extension is another rung helping individuals climb the socioeconomic ladder. Each trip—whether it be for education, healthcare, or employment—carries people on their journey towards a better purposeful life.”

“From improved access to jobs to more convenient and affordable transportation, A Better Red will help bridge the gaps that too often hold people back,” Centro Cultural Policy Director Nansi Lopez said.

A Better Red keeps trains and transit moving forward

TriMet’s A Better Red project doubled MAX light rail service between Beaverton Transit Center, the previous western end of the MAX Red Line, and the new Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds Station, renamed from the Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport Station.

The project’s reliability improvements were made on the east side of the line, between Portland International Airport and Gateway Transit Center, and went into operation in March. They included installing a second set of tracks in two sections—near PDX and Gateway Transit Center—where originally there were just a single set of tracks. This improved train movement and keeps trains running on time throughout the MAX Red Line as well as on the other lines in our interconnected light rail system.

The reliability improvements led to TriMet’s first new MAX station in nine years, Gateway North, to serve trains coming from PDX toward Downtown Portland and Washington County. Crews constructed two new bridges and pathways to carry the new sections of track and improve connections for pedestrians, cyclists and people in mobility devices. This includes  two new multi-use paths: one connecting 82nd Avenue to Portland International Airport and another providing new access to Gateway Green Park. The work required three short closures of all or part of I-84 in the Gateway area. TriMet thanks the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for its support in making A Better Red possible.

“TriMet’s partnership in the Portland region helps us deliver on our mission to provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system for Oregon,” ODOT’s Public Transportation Division Administrator Suzanne Carlson said. “We are excited to see A Better Red expand transportation options for the community.”

A project of A Better Red’s size, on an active light rail line, required eight disruptions to MAX service. TriMet and our partners thank riders and employees for their patience and understanding as this project improved transit service and all the benefits that brings.

“The City of Portland appreciates this federal investment and TriMet’s leadership on the A Better Red project, which will improve light rail service downtown and for neighborhoods on the eastside of Portland,” said Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Millicent Williams. “Continued transit investments are critical to meeting the City of Portland goals around carbon emissions reduction, improving livability and helping people get where they need to go affordably and safely.”

Building A Better Red

Construction of A Better Red was led by Construction Manager/General Contractor Stacy Witbeck, with the design completed by Parametrix. The project  supported 1,051 jobs and paid out over $18.9 million in salaries and wages to date. In line with TriMet’s nationally recognized program promoting opportunities for women and people of color through transit construction projects, disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) played a substantial role in A Better Red, with 62 of the 139 subcontracting firms being certified DBEs. The project also emphasized workforce training and hiring initiatives. Approximately 21% of the total trade labor hours have been dedicated to on-the-job training for apprentices, setting them up for future success in the construction industry.

Funding

$104 m      TriMet
 $99.9 m     FTA Small Starts / SYGA
 $8.9 m       Regional Flexible Funds administered by Metro
 $2.2 m       Port of Portland
 $215 m      Current total project cost

A Better Red at a glance

The new MAX Red Line is just one of the changes TriMet made in August to improve our overall light rail system and bring bus service to more people, especially those with limited incomes, so they have more access to reach jobs and opportunities.