A section of the MAX Orange Line will be disrupted July 9-12 as work is done to improve ride quality, lighting and track conditions across the Willamette River’s most dynamic bridge
TriMet’s structural jewel on the Willamette River will receive a shine-up when the Tilikum Crossing MAX Improvements project gets underway next month. The unique cable-stayed bridge — dedicated to transit, bikes and pedestrians — will host construction and cleaning crews the second week of July.
For TriMet: Construction means MAX Orange Line service will be disrupted from Thursday, July 9, through Sunday, July 12, with shuttle buses serving stops near three closed stations. Portland Streetcar, owned by the City of Portland, will also be disrupted, as its A and B loops cross the bridge. For more information, visit https://portlandstreetcar.org/.
While a single bus lane on Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, will remain open and reserved for shuttle buses and lines 9-Powell Blvd and 291-Orange Bus, other bus lines that normally cross the bridge will be detoured, including Lines 17-Holgate/Broadway and 19-Woodstock/Glisan. They will use the Ross Island Bridge. FX2-Division, which will also be detoured, will cross the Hawthorne Bridge.
MAX Blue, Green, Red and Yellow lines will not be affected.
During the project, crews will replace portions of the bridge deck on the Tilikum Crossing and deep-clean the tracks, removing debris and sand that have accumulated over the years. Tilikum Crossing opened in September 2015 as part of the MAX Orange Line and has experienced heavy use ever since.
TriMet’s Project Manager for Maintenance of Way, Matt Baccitich, said it’s typical for a structure of its age — running buses on it for nearly 20 hours a day — to show wear and tear, “so it’s time to come in and do some repairs to improve the ride quality and give the bridge a good once over.”
Riders can find infromation about the project at trimet.org/improvements.
What riders need to know
Improvement projects such as this help us maintain rail infrastructure, ensuring our MAX system is safe, efficient and comfortable. While our aim is to perform as much maintenance work as possible without disrupting service, there are times when it’s necessary to give crews space to work on or near the tracks.
The basics:
- The MAX Orange Line will be disrupted across Tilikum Crossing.
- Shuttle buses will replace Orange Line trains between PSU South/SW 5th & Jackson and Clinton/SE 12th Ave, serving stops near the three closed stations.
- Riders should plan an extra 15 to 30 minutes for their trips during the four-day project.
- Shuttle buses will arrive at stops near the three closed stations every 15 minutes throughout most of the day.
Some bus stops will also be closed during the project. They include these stop:
- Stops at Southeast Division Place and 8th Avenue, ID 13778, and Southeast 7th Avenue and Tilikum Way, ID 13825, will be closed to lines 17-Holgate/Broadway and 19-Woodstock/Glisan
- Stops at OMSI/SE Water, ID 13772, OMSI/SE Water, ID 13773, South Waterfront/S Moody, ID 13732, and South Waterfront/S Moody, ID 13733, will be closed to lines FX2-Division, 17-Holgate/Broadway and 19-Woodstock/Glisan.
A number of Portland Streetcar stops will be closed:
- South Harrison and 3rd Avenue: Stop IDs 12375 & 12382
- South Harrison Street: Stop IDs 12377 & 12380
- South River Parkway and Moody Avenue: Stop ID 12378 & 12379
- South Moody Avenue and Meade Street: Stop ID 13601 &13602
These stops only affect the A and B Loop. Passengers can use the N-S line, which also serves these stops.
Planning on making a trip across Tilikum Crossing between July 9 and 12? Plan it in advance at trimet.org/planner. Make sure to pick a date that falls within that range. Have questions? Call or text our customer service line at 503-238-7433 (RIDE) on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to connect with our rider support team.
Ride quality repairs
Crews will work on both Tilikum Crossing and the Harbor Structure, the elevated approach leading to the bridge on the west side of the Willamette River. They will repair and replace concrete slabs on both structures. Additionally, they will clean drains, remove sand and improve deck joints, which help the bridge flex in changing temperatures.
The bridge’s original lighting will also be upgraded. Crews will replace 35 lighting fixtures along both the Harbor Structure and Tilikum Crossing.
Once the MAX Orange Line returns to regular service on Monday, July 13, riders can expect a spruced-up bridge that requires less daily maintenance by TriMet crews.
Later this summer: Westside MAX Improvements Projects
The Tilikum Crossing MAX Improvements Project is one of two major projects slated for this summer to keep our MAX service reliable.
The Westside MAX Improvements Project, from July 26 through Aug. 8, will have crews making a series of rail crossing upgrades along the MAX Blue and Red lines in Washington County. The project will be split into two sections.
During the first week, July 26-Aug. 1, MAX Blue and Red Line service will be disrupted between Elmonica/SW 170th Ave and Millikan Way. The disruption will shift during the second week, Aug. 2-8, with no Blue or Red Line service between Merlo Road MAX Station and Willow Creek.
TriMet will remind riders and have more information about this project after the completion of the Tilikum Crossing MAX Improvements Project on Monday, July 13.
Making Transit Better
Keeping transit moving safely and reliably requires continuous maintenance. The Tilikum Crossing MAX Improvements Project will help preserve one of the most important links in the region’s transportation network. By repairing concrete bridge surfaces, improving deck joints, cleaning drainage systems, replacing lighting and removing years of accumulated debris from the trackway, crews are helping extend the life of the bridge while improving ride quality and reliability.
The project is the latest example of TriMet’s ongoing investment to keep our system in a state of good repair and keep our riders moving. Over the past year, TriMet has conducted comprehensive inspections of the 3.4-mile Robertson Tunnel, modernized the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station and completed the process of replacing our aging Type 1 MAX trains with the new generation of Type 6 vehicles.
While projects like these can temporarily affect service, they are essential to maintaining the infrastructure that supports tens of millions of trips each year. By investing in the system today, TriMet is helping ensure riders continue to enjoy safe and reliable rides well into the future.
For more information, visit trimet.org/bettertransit.