Regular MAX service resumes Tuesday, June 10, with riders using a new temporary platform

A major remodel of the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station begins Tuesday, June 10, but don’t sweat it –  MAX trains will keep serving the station this summer and fall!

Starting June 10 – when regular MAX Blue, Green and Red Line service returns – you’ll use a temporary platform while we renovate the station. This work will continue until the end of 2025. 

To finish the temporary platform, crews used the June 8-9 MAX disruption to build stairs to it. You’ll access the temporary stairs on the southbound side of Northeast 82nd Avenue, across the street from the permanent stairway, which will be closed during the station’s renovation. 

Renovating the MAX station will significantly improve it, focusing on safety, accessibility and maintainability. The station opened in 1986 as part of the original MAX line between Downtown Portland and Gresham. Over the years, train traffic has tripled as the MAX system has expanded, first with the MAX Red Line in 2001, followed by the MAX Green Line in 2009. Along with the station’s proximity to the bustling Northeast 82nd Avenue corridor, the expansion of the MAX system has resulted in the station becoming the most active one along Interstate 84. 

Rider tips

TriMet has been working for months on ways to keep riders moving during the NE 82nd Ave MAX Improvements Project. On Tuesday, June 10, and Wednesday, June 11, TriMet will have On-Street Customer Service representatives at the station to help riders with the transition. Signs are also posted directing people to the new stairs.  

• The temporary stairs are located near the southbound lanes on the west side of Northeast 82nd Avenue. 
• The elevator, near the northbound lanes on the east side, will remain in service throughout construction.
• Remember, the elevator is now equipped with access-control devices. Tap or scan your fare at the reader to open the doors. There is no charge for using the elevator. 
• The stop for bus lines 72-Killingsworth/82nd Ave, 77-Broadway/Halsey and 287-Blue Eastside has been moved about 65 feet to the north, closer to the intersection of Northeast 82nd Avenue and Northeast Jonesmore Street. A new bus shelter has also been installed.
• MAX trains will serve the station on their regular schedules. 

If you have questions, contact TriMet Customer Service at 503-238-7433 (RIDE) between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Why renovate the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station?

During construction, crews will completely repave the platform’s surface and add new tactile strips on the edge of the platform.

The existing shelter will undergo a complete renovation. This includes re-roofing to protect riders against the elements and a thorough refurbishment to maintain its original design. The architectural details and period-specific elements will be preserved to respect the historical consistency of the original MAX station. 

In addition to the renovation, a new shelter and windscreens will be constructed on the east side of the platform, increasing the amount of weather protection available. This expansion aims to improve comfort and convenience, especially during inclement weather.

The current stairway, which has been in use for more than 38 years, will be completely rebuilt. This reconstruction will ensure structural integrity and enhance user safety and convenience. Design considerations will also include accessibility standards to facilitate ease of use for our riders.

A decommissioned building located at the platform’s eastern end, has already been dismantled and removed. It was a remnant of the original MAX system, used to lift people in mobility devices into high-floor trains. It became obsolete with the introduction of low-floor trains in the 1990s. This removal is crucial for improving visibility and sight lines, enhancing overall safety and our ability to maintain the station.

Making Transit Better

Public transit matters in our region. While the Portland metro area is the 23rd largest in the United States, we have the 12th highest transit ridership. Per capita, it’s the 9th highest. That’s why TriMet doesn’t rest when it comes to improving transit.

Over the past year, we have begun introducing Type 6 trains, 30 of which will be in service by 2026. They are replacing our original MAX trains, many of which have been operated continuously since 1986, with some logging more than 2 million miles!

Meanwhile, the recently completed East Burnside MAX Improvements Project boosted the resiliency of the MAX Blue Line east of the Gateway Transit Center. A new wire-tensioning system installed during the project will help trains keep moving in extreme heat, and a new rail crossing has created a smoother ride with less jostling of the rail. 

These are just some of the ways we continue to improve our system’s safety, cleanliness and reliability. We thank our riders for their understanding as we work to make transit better.