PDX Transit » Portland Mall Light Rail

Portland transit Google mashup

Bailey — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:50:12 +0000

I found a nice Portland transit mashup yesterday at http://mapmash.googlepages.com/portlandmax.html. It has some nice features including links to a pdf that you can print with every Max and bus stop.

I built a similar mashup a few years ago, but never completed the project. You can see my outdated portland transit map here. Google has since added a ton of nice features to their maps program that make my project pretty much obsolete.

Check them both out and let me know what yout think. Now only, if they could send walking directions to my iPhone.

Planning The Streetcar’s Future

Dan — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 08:36:22 +0000

The Portland Office of Transportation is hosting a series of open houses to get public input on what new routes and corridors should be considered in any new Streetcar proposal. The public meetings, which will be held later this month and into November, will consist of members of Transporation speaking with any and all interested members of the community, as well as presenting the new Primary Transit Network map, or PTN. The PTN study outlines all current transit corridors – bus, light rail, and streetcar - and identifies possible new routes and areas that could be developed for public transportation use.

The three planned open houses will be held at Parkrose, Lincoln, and Grant high schools. For exact times and dates of the meetings, check out the press release from the Portland Office of Transportation, here.

Construction To Shut Down MAX

Dan — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 05:21:40 +0000

The Downtwon Transit Mall renovation project has been effecting automobile traffic downtown for months, but get ready for yet another hassle. This weekend, from September 28 through the 30th, the MAX will have a plethora of service interruptions and station closures throughout downtown while new light rail is being installed at the crossings of the existing MAX rails. At least eight MAX stops will be shut down for part of the day on Friday, and five of those stops, including the Library, Pioneer Courthouse Square, and the 3rd Ave. stops, will be closed through the end of regular service on Sunday.

These service delays and station closures are sure to be a pain for many weekend commuters, but Tri-Met is doing what it can to relieve the problem. Temporary shuttle buses will be running through downtown to connect MAX riders from one end of the construction area to the other, and, it is hoped, that through the use of these shuttles, delays will be kept to a minimum.

Delays and interruptions shouldn't come as a surprise to any downtown commuters, however, as the Mall renovation has been going on for nearly a year. And problems such as this will certainly crop up in the future, so be prepared – we still have TWO YEARS before the project is finally completed.

Click here for more information on this weekend's MAX service interruptions.

Streetcar Plan Gains Speed

Dan — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:50:47 +0000

Earlier this month, on September 6th, the City Council met to discuss the proposed $147 million Eastside streetcar project, that, if approved, would extend the streecar from Downtown, across the Broadway Bridge, down Martin Luther King Boulevard, and terminate at OMSI. The meeting came at a critical time for the project, as the following day was the cutoff date for submitting a viable plan to the Federal Transit Administration, the agency that the Council is hoping to receive $75 million from to help fund the extension.

Ultimately, the City hopes that this new Eastside streetcar will replace much of the #6 busline that runs the length of MLK Blvd., and that the money that is currently used for maintenance of the busses on the route, and the cost of the extra maintenance to the road itself, can be diverted into the new rail line.

The question must be asked, Is this a good time to be planning even MORE light rail extensions? With Downtown currently in absolute shambles while the construction of the new MAX line and revamp of the transit mall continues, and Tri-Met already planning its South Corridor Project (a proposal to extend the MAX down the eastside of the Willamette, from Downtown to Milwaukie), the City may want to take a step back, and wait to see how the plethora of current transit projects pan out before diving head first into yet another multi-million dollar commitment.

For more information on the Eastside streetcar proposal, check out the article in the Portland Mercury.

Tri-Met Fares Increase…Once Again

Dan — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:30:23 +0000

If it's September, it can only mean one thing: Tri-Met is raising its fares for bus and light rail. And this September is no different. Like clockwork, cash fares have been raised a nickel, so now it will cost $1.75 for a Two Zone ticket, $2.05 for an All Zone, and $1.40 for a Youth ticket. Monthly Passes didn't escape the rate hike, either. For the Two Zone and All Zone passes, you'll now be forking over $65 and $76 respectively. The Youth monthly pass was raised to $24. As usual, the Honored Citizens (elderly riders, or those with a disability) rates remained the same.

Tri-Met fares go to funding everything from new projects like the Bus Mall renovation, to maintaining buses and light rail. And while the rate hike wasn't unexpected, it understandably irks some Tri-Met riders. Longtime Tri-Met rider, Quinn Harrington, observes, "I am tired of the increases…they[the fare increases] are part of the overall change to a regressive system of taxation where property owners and wealthy people continue to receive tax benefits while the poorer in society are charged higher use fees."

For now we'll have to endure the rate increases, and with new Tri-Met projects on the horizon, over the next couple of years we're sure to see another increase or two. For an entire list of the fare hikes, check out www.tri-met.org.

North Interstate Avenue Re-Zone

Dan — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:17:16 +0000

If the Portland Development Commission has its way, North Interstate Avenue could soon have a whole new look. A proposal is now being drafted that will re-tailor the aging, and economically struggling strip in NoPo, so that the MAX Yellow Line can be utilized to its full potential. Massive re-zoning and relaxing of restrictions on the height of buildings is being considered, to increase the density of residential areas near the MAX. The hope being, that with easier access to mass transit people will lessen their driving on Interstate Avenue and the surrounding roads, opening the area up to be more pedestrian friendly, and eventually allowing for more prosperous stores and restaurants to move in where now sit hotels and gas stations.

The proposal is drawing little criticism from neighbors and residents at this point, but with relaxed height restrictions on residential buildings in the area, neighborhood opposition won't be far behind. Certainly though, all in the North Portland area will benefit from fewer cars on the roads and a more accessible MAX line.

For more information check out The Portland Tribune.

Portland Mall Event: Champ Car pit stop demos & block party June 7

Bailey — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 05:31:01 +0000

Join us downtown on Thursday, June 7, for a free block party featuring Champ Cars, live music, food/drinks and pit stop demonstrations. SW 6th & Oak at Unico Plaza, 4:30 to 9 p.m. More

Source: [Link]

Milestone: Construction on 5th Avenue progressing on schedule

Bailey — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 05:31:00 +0000

Light rail construction has wrapped up on 5th Avenue between Irving and Oak streets and between Salmon and Jefferson streets. Crews have replaced the roadway and laid rail track and new pavement. Cars and bikes again can access these sections of 5th Avenue.

Moving forward, you’ll still see crews in these areas as lighter construction work continues. The next phase of the work includes creating station platforms and finishing pedestrian walkways. Work will be quieter and new parking spaces soon will appear on 5th.

Track construction progress at portlandmall.org

Source: [Link]

Portland Mall – open for business

Bailey — Wed, 09 May 2007 03:37:29 +0000

As light rail construction gets under way in the north and central Mall areas, please join us in supporting these businesses located along 5th and 6th avenues. More Related posts:Support Portland Mall businesses this Mother’s DaySupport Portland Mall businesses this Mother’s DayPortland Mall Site Goes Live Related posts:

Portland Mall construction update – May 4, 2007

Bailey — Wed, 09 May 2007 03:37:23 +0000

The new look of 5th Avenue is emerging. Sections of track are set, and passersby can see an example of the Mall’s new brick intersections at 5th Avenue and Oak Street. More Related posts:Milestone: Construction on 5th Avenue progressing on scheduleI-205 Light Rail – construction update – April 26, 2007Portland Mall Site Goes Live Related posts: