Week-long construction project to bring rail, station and safety upgrades, with shuttle buses and adjusted service keeping riders moving

TriMet is preparing for a seven-day, two-part MAX improvements project on the eastside of the Willamette River this October. Riders will want to take note that MAX trains will be disrupted in two separate sections of the system while construction is underway. 

The first phase of the Eastside MAX Improvements Project will begin Sunday, Oct. 12, with a one-day disruption to MAX Blue, Green and Red lines. Shuttle buses will replace MAX trains between Rose Quarter Transit Center and Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center. 

On Monday, Oct. 13, the closed stations will reopen, as the project shifts to its second phase along the MAX Red Line. This will result in disrupted service between Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and Portland International Airport from Monday, Oct. 13, through Saturday, Oct. 18. 

All MAX lines will return to their regular schedules on Sunday, Oct. 19. Riders can learn more about the project and how it may affect their trips by visiting trimet.org/improvements. 

Service adjustments in detail

To keep riders moving while crews complete important work, MAX service will be adjusted on several lines. Below is a breakdown of service by line and date:

Oct. 12

• MAX Blue, Green and Red lines will be disrupted. 
• Shuttle buses will serve all stations between Rose Quarter Transit Center and Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center . 
• MAX Green Line will not cross the Steel Bridge.

West of the disruption, MAX Green Line Trains will travel along Fifth and Sixth avenues, serving stations along the Portland Transit Mall between Union Station/NW 6th and Hoyt and Portland State University. They will arrive at stations every 15 minutes. 

MAX Orange and Yellow lines will serve all their stations during the disruption and operate on their regular schedules. 

Oct. 13 – 18

• MAX Red line will be disrupted between Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and Portland International Airport.
• Shuttle buses will serve closed stations, arriving every 15 minutes.

• Shuttle buses will serve all stations between Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and Portland International Airport.
• During this phase of the project, all travelers to and from Portland International Airport should plan an additional 30 minutes for their trips.

All other lines will operate on their regular schedules.

NE 82nd Ave MAX Station construction

The one-day disruption will enable crews to safely remove construction scaffolding located at the south side of the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station platform stairs and install light poles along the new upper stair wall. The station, which has served riders since 1986, has been undergoing a major modernization overhaul of its permanent platform since June.

Crews have been able to perform most of the work without disrupting service thanks to a temporary MAX platform, located to the west of the station. As part of this project, TriMet is making a series of upgrades designed to improve safety, accessibility and comfort for riders while preserving the station’s historic character. The existing stairway is being rebuilt, and the current shelter will be re-roofed and refurbished. A second shelter will also be added on the east end of the platform, providing more space and protection from the elements.

MAX Red Line rail replacement and reliability upgrades

During the disruption, crews will replace 100 feet of curved rail at the east end of the Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center. This critical piece of rail, dubbed the “Fish Hook,” curves around the transit center. This stretch of rail – TriMet’s tightest curve in the system – has been in service since the MAX Red Line opened in 2001.

Additionally, crews will replace more curved rail near Cascades Station, deep clean stations, remove litter from our track and replace rail ties. Not only will these improvements refresh the MAX Red Line, but they will also enhance the system’s overall reliability. 

TriMet is here to help

We know service disruptions can change how you get where you need to go. That’s why we’re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Before you travel, check trimet.org/alerts or use the TriMet Trip Planner to see how your trips may be affected. It will give you the best option for your trip.

During the disruption, real-time information will be available on trimet.org, so you’ll know when your next train or shuttle bus is arriving. Be sure to allow extra time for your ride. Some trains will be arriving less frequently and shuttle buses may take a bit longer than usual.

Throughout the project, we will have extra personnel on the system at key locations and stations to help riders make their connections. 

If you have questions, we’re here to help. You can reach out to TriMet Customer Service by phone, text or email, or connect with us on X @trimethelp. Our team can help you plan your trip, answer questions about shuttle service and provide updates.

We appreciate your patience as we make these improvements to keep MAX safe and reliable for years to come. 

Making Transit Better

TriMet’s vision for the future of our region’s public transportation relies on ongoing investment in the MAX system. Tens of thousands of people rely on it daily. Upgrading the system to make it safer, cleaner, smoother and more dependable ensures we keep moving forward. 

We appreciate your understanding as we complete these upgrades.

Recently, TriMet finished the Robertson Tunnel MAX Improvements Project. During that project, crews improved the track, cleaned inside and outside the tunnel, and enhanced the resilience of the overhead wire system. 

In June, we started our renovation of the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station. This significant project, lasting through the end of 2025, is being carried out with minimal disruption to riders. 

It’s also been a year since TriMet’s A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability Project fully opened, with a 10-station extension of the MAX Red Line to Hillsboro. Opened on August 28, 2024, the extension capped three years of construction that also brought the MAX system its first new station in nine years – Gateway North – and doubled-tracked areas to alleviate bottlenecks. 

To learn more about our upcoming project, go to trimet.org/improvements.