Westside MAX Improvements project to upgrade rail crossings at three locations on MAX Blue and Red lines in Washington County
With the Tilikum Crossing MAX Improvements project completed, TriMet’s focus turns to the next round of work to keep the system in a state of good repair.
MAX Riders west of Beaverton Central Station will want to mark their calendars for two weeks of construction, between July 26 and Aug. 8, as we work to improve 30-year-old rail crossings at three locations. These crossings — where roads, sidewalks or paths cross our MAX tracks — take a lot of wear and tear. Crews will repair and upgrade the tracks and adjacent roadways. This will require disrupting two nearby sections of the MAX Blue and Red lines for consecutive weeks. The work will also affect auto traffic.
MAX Blue and Red Line disruptions:
- July 26 – Aug. 1: Between Elmonica/SW 170th Ave and Millikan Way MAX stations
Please note: Beaverton Creek MAX Station will be partially closed during construction. Riders will have the option of boarding eastbound MAX Blue and Red line trains toward Portland City Center, but westbound service will not be available. Riders traveling west should use the provided shuttle buses.
- Aug. 2 – Aug. 8: Between Merlo Rd/SW 158th MAX Station and Willow Creek/SW 185th Ave Transit Center
Shuttle buses will get riders around the disruptions. They will arrive near closed stations at roughly 7-minute intervals during the project. Riders heading to and from the Washington County Fair, July 24-Aug. 2, will want to take note of the disruption dates. Plan ahead at trimet.org/planner, and expect trips to take an extra 15 to 30 minutes.
Regular MAX Blue and Red Line service will resume on Sunday, Aug. 9.
Thousands of Washington County residents and visitors rely on these crossings to move around the region. This summer’s construction helps guarantee they remain in the best possible shape. Riders and automobile drivers may even notice a smoother ride through these areas once the project is completed.
“These crossings see heavy bus traffic. They see heavy semi-truck traffic and a lot of auto traffic, so that all takes a toll over the decades,” TriMet Senior Project Manager for Maintenance of Way Jeff Johnson said. “We always want to take a close look at our crossings and our entire system in general to see what we can do to improve it. That way, we can do a (project) like this very fast and very efficiently.”
Getting around the disruption – July 26 – Aug. 8
While shuttle bus arrivals will roughly match those of MAX Blue and Red lines, buses are smaller and may fill up more quickly.
We appreciate our riders’ patience and understanding as crews work on the project.
TriMet personnel will be available at some closed stations to help riders make their connections. They’ll be able to answer question, but if riders need to talk to someone before the project commences, they can also call or text TriMet Customer Service at 503-238-7433 (RIDE) on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Crossings closed to automobiles
The project will improve three rail crossings, located at Southwest Merlo Road, Southwest 170th Avenue and West Baseline Road.
In addition to disrupting MAX service, construction will affect auto traffic at the crossings. The crossing at Southwest Merlo Road will be closed to vehicles from July 26 through Aug. 1. The following week, Aug. 2-8, lanes of West Baseline Road will be closed to vehicle traffic and the crossing at Southwest 170th Avenue will be closed entirely.
Improvements with riders in mind
Installed during the Westside MAX Blue Line Extension in the mid-to-late 90s, the rail crossings are now nearly 30 years old. While they’re durable, having withstood hundreds of thousands of vehicles passing over them, it’s now time to raise and stabilize them. This will create a smoother experience for MAX riders and motorists alike.
We apologize for the disruptions, but they’re necessary to uphold our ongoing commitment to keeping the MAX system in a state of good repair. We encourage riders to visit (and bookmark) trimet.org/improvements to learn more.
Making Transit Better
Every improvement project is an investment in a safer, more reliable transit system.
Earlier this month, TriMet completed the Tilikum Crossing MAX Improvements Project, resurfacing parts of the bridge and the elevated approach used by transit vehicles west of the Willamette River — the Harbor Structure. Crews also deep-cleaned the rails and upgraded the lighting to be more energy-efficient.
By rebuilding rail crossings later this summer, crews will correct track and drainage issues that can affect the road and trackway foundations. It’s an important way to extend the life of the MAX system while improving reliability and reducing future maintenance needs. Though projects like these can require temporary service disruptions, they help ensure riders continue to enjoy safe and dependable rides for decades.
The work comes as we make other major improvements across the MAX system. Between Downtown Portland and Gresham, TriMet has begun replacing the original electrical substations that have powered MAX trains since the mid-1980s. That project started with the substation under Pioneer Courthouse Square.
For information about the Westside MAX Improvements project, visit trimet.org/improvements.