A two-week project, April 27-May 10, will improve the durability of TriMet’s original rail line

Mark your calendars. Improvements are coming to the MAX light rail system this spring.

TriMet will perform a series of upgrades on the MAX Blue Line east of the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center from April 27 through May 10. The two-week-long East Burnside MAX Improvements Project will require crews to work on and above the tracks to replace and upgrade equipment for durability, extra reliability and a smoother ride. 

It’s not a stretch to say that extreme heat can vex the light rail system, causing overhead wires to sag. Instead, we turn to a system that applies tension to keep the wires taut as temperatures creep upward. Crews will install a new version of the system during the project as the summer months approach.

The overhead wires will receive further attention elsewhere, with crews planning to replace about 8,000 feet of them. The two weeks of construction will give crews time to make the necessary upgrades to the overhead wire system, replace a rail crossing, and improve other elements of the track. 

Moving riders around construction

TriMet has plans in place to help riders navigate the disruption. We have worked to limit the impacts as much as possible, including reducing the disruption during the second week. 

Week 1 (April 27-May 3): Shuttle buses will serve riders between Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and Cleveland Ave MAX Station – the end of the MAX Blue Line in Gresham.

Week 2 (May 4-10): The disruption area will be shortened. Shuttle buses will serve riders between E 172nd Ave and Cleveland Ave MAX stations only. 

Remember to plan by going to trimet.org/planner. If you plan on riding during the disruption, make sure to include future travel dates. Riders will want to plan an extra 30 minutes for their trips. You can also sign up for service alerts to be delivered directly to you via text message or email by going to trimet.org/email.

Staying ahead of Mother Nature

The overhead wires are like the circulatory system of MAX trains, pumping cleaner, renewable electricity into every vehicle. During the East Burnside MAX Improvements Project, TriMet’s crews will retrofit some overhead wires to make them more resilient to extreme heat and boost their durability. TriMet will do this by upgrading systems that have served riders for decades.

The overhead wires need to be tight, like a stretched rubber band, for trains to move at normal speeds. However, when temperatures soar above 90 degrees, “thermal expansion” causes the copper wires to droop. That’s why TriMet uses weight stacks, which weigh a ton and are connected to the wires, to keep the wires tight in extreme heat. The system works well, with the weights dropping toward the ground when temperatures rise. However, it has become so hot in recent years, including a record-setting 116 degrees in 2021, that there have been times when the weights have hit the ground.

By introducing the new, automated overhead wire tensioning system in some areas, TriMet will replace the weight stacks that have been in use. Enter a new, automated overhead wire tensioning system. The new system applies more pressure, about 3,000 pounds of it overall.  

Rebuilding the eastbound and westbound rail crossing at Northwest Eleven Mile Avenue in Gresham will give motorists and MAX riders a smoother ride through the intersection. This current crossing was installed decades ago and is in heavy use. In addition to autos and MAX Blue Line trains, every train that enters and leaves our Ruby Junction Rail Operating Facility travels over the crossing. New track parts, including 50-100 rail ties, will also be added during construction.

Cleaning will also be a priority during the project. Crews will clean closed stations, remove litter and graffiti and clear brush on the east end of the MAX Blue Line when the trains aren’t running. Riders can expect to see more TriMet employees near closed stations and shuttle bus locations to help them make their connections. Look for people wearing green vests (On-Street Customer Service), blue vests (Ride Guides) or TriMet uniforms. We will also have extra safety and security personnel available to support riders. 

Minor traffic impacts

Crews will sometimes need to work in the roadway. Auto traffic will be limited to a single lane near Northwest Eleven Mile Avenue and East Burnside Street, and traffic controls will be in place to help drivers navigate the work. Additionally, two four-hour street closures will be needed for rail welding, restricting all vehicular access to Northwest Eleven Mile Avenue between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. 

MAX improvements

TriMet works to keep our transit system in the best condition possible through regular upkeep and maintenance. This is why the MAX Blue Line, the second oldest light rail line on the West Coast, has provided millions of trips since opening in 1986. 

As much as we try to work during overnight hours or in ways that minimize rider impacts, some work can only be done when we stop service altogether. We thank our riders for their patience and understanding as we prepare to kick off the project.

In recent years, MAX improvements projects have resulted in rail improvements through Downtown Portland, upgrades to rail crossings in Gresham and the recent introduction of our Type 6 MAX trains earlier this year. 

For information about the upcoming disruption, go to trimet.org.