MAX Blue, Green and Red lines disrupted June 8-9, as crews finish installation of a  temporary platform to keep riders moving during months-long improvement project

The NE 82nd Ave MAX Station is getting a major makeover! Starting this June, crews will begin the months-long process of modernizing the nearly 40-year-old station. 

But first, a two-day disruption, from Sunday, June 8, through Monday, June 9, is needed to prepare the area around the station for significant construction activity beginning later this summer. Crews will use the two days to install a stairway on the southbound side of Northeast 82nd Avenue, across the street from the regular entrance to the MAX station. 

Once the temporary platform opens, the new stairs will allow riders to access it. The elevator will remain operable during most of the renovation project. A platform-level pathway will connect the elevator to the temporary platform. 

When trains return to regular service on Tuesday, June 10, there will be no access to the regular NE 82nd Ave MAX Station as crews perform renovations there through the end of the year. While construction is taking place, riders will use the temporary MAX platform to board and exit trains. This will allow MAX trains to continue to serve the station during construction.

Two-day MAX disruption: June 8-9

The June 8-9 disruption will affect MAX Blue, Green and Red lines. Shuttle buses will replace MAX service between the Oregon Convention Center MAX Station and the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center. The shuttle buses will depart every five minutes for most of the day. However, trips may take an extra 30 minutes, and we encourage riders to plan their trips now by going to trimet.org.

If you have questions about arrival times or getting around during the disruption, look for TriMet’s On-Street Customer Service team, wearing green vests. You can also call or text TriMet’s Customer Support Center at 503-238-7433 (RIDE) daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Temporary platform to keep riders moving

Crews have already constructed a temporary MAX platform west of the station. It will open to riders on June 10 and offer many of the same amenities, including signage, lighting and a shelter. Most important, the platform will keep riders moving during construction. 

The stairs leading down to the temporary platform will be on the opposite side of Northeast 82nd Ave, adjacent to the southbound lanes and across the street from the entrance to the MAX station.

The renovation represents a major investment in the MAX system, making it safer, more comfortable and more durable. The station is not only one of our oldest, it is also vital in connecting East Portlanders to jobs, education, healthcare and services. This project will help revitalize the station while laying the groundwork for future development and investment in the surrounding community.

The renovation will include:

• Stairway construction: The existing stairway will be rebuilt.
• Shelter renovation: The current shelter will be re-roofed and refurbished, preserving its historic design. A second shelter will be added to the east side of the platform.
• Lift building removal: The non-operational lift building at the end of the platform will be removed completely to improve sight lines. Constructed in the 1980s, these buildings formerly housed devices that lifted people in mobility devices into MAX trains. They became obsolete when low-floor trains were introduced in the 1990s, and many have already been removed from the system. 
• Barrier replacement: The existing bollard and cable barrier on the edge of the platform will be replaced with a guardrail for improved safety.

Additional improvements will include upgraded signage and lighting. The mural by acclaimed artist Alex Chiu on the west end of the platform, will be preserved.

Making Transit Better

TriMet appreciates our riders’ patience as we work to improve community connections. As a busy transit hub in the heart of Northeast Portland, the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station links thousands to jobs, services and healthcare. 

The NE 82nd Ave MAX Improvements Project is part of systemwide modernization efforts aimed at providing a more accessible, welcoming and reliable transit experience for the Portland region – today and into the future. This includes the introduction of our newest trains, the Type 6, which started service earlier this year.

Other significant projects have included our recently completed East Burnside MAX Improvements Project and A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project, which extended the MAX Red Line 10 stations west. 

Improvements like these benefit everyone! Safe, reliable and comfortable public transit means less congestion, cleaner air and safer roads. It also means a thriving economy, giving people access to work, education, stores, services and recreation. 

More information about the project and service impacts is available at trimet.org/improvements.