Portland City Council Approves Southwest Corridor MAX Line Plan

PORTLAND, OR – The Portland City Council unanimously approved the proposed MAX line that would travel the Southwest Corridor. The council had first considered the plan last month but delayed the vote after concerns were raised by Commissioner Amanda Fritz.

The MAX line would stretch from Southwest Barbur Boulevard to Tigard and Bridgeport Village.

While the commissioners all supported the plan, several did express concerns, pointing out that just because they approved it. There are several obstacles still to overcome including securing funding from the federal govenrment.

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The regional government, Metro, is behind the plan, which is expected to cost upwards of $2.8 billion. If approved, there is little doubt that the project will be the most expensive transit project in the history of the region, far surpassing the $1.49 billion cost of the TriMet line from Portland to Milwaukie.

TriMet and Metro say that the expansion is necessary because to alleviate what will be ever-increasing traffic. They estimate that by 2035, more than 40,000 weekday commuters will be riding the line.

The plan has already been approved by the Washington County Board, the TriMet Board of Directors, and the Beaverton and Tualatin City Councils.

The Tigard City Council will consider the plan on Nov. 13 and the Metro Council will vote on it on Nov. 15.

Photo Colin Miner/Patch