16 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Oregonian, 7/25/13:

TriMet announces opening date for Portland-Milwaukie light rail line

In news that's certain to make Clackastani rail opponents simmer hotter than an iron track in August, TriMet on Thursday announced the opening date for the $1.49 billion Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail line will be Sept. 12, 2015.

Oregon's largest transit agency also said that the 7.3-mile Orange Line, including the nation's largest car-free bridge over the Willamette River, is now halfway complete.

This story is here.

Isn't it strange that some systems wait until seemingly the last minute to announce an opening date, while TriMet here is naming the date well over two years ahead of time? That is not to say the date might not slip, but they appear to have a clear handle on the progress of the work to give the public an idea of when they will be able to ride the new line.

[KevinKorell]

TriMet website:

Portland-Milwaukie MAX line is 50% complete, on time and on budget

The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project has reached an exciting milestone: We’re 50 percent complete.

And, we have a grand opening date, too: The region’s sixth MAX line is scheduled to begin transporting riders between Downtown Portland, Milwaukie and north Clackamas County on Saturday, September 12, 2015.

Continue

[KevinKorell]

One year to go! Here is a YouTube video showing progress: https://www.youtube....JfCTYrdtHpv_bbA

Date of 9/12/15 is still holding, but debate still continues on whether MAX Orange Line is just a working name (with the Portland-Milwaukie route being functionally an extension of the MAX Yellow Line) or if it will indeed open as the MAX Orange Line and terminate at the loop adjacent to Portland Union Station.

[KevinKorell]

Although TriMet continues to have their web page for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project http://trimet.org/pm/ (pm standing for Portland-Milwaukie), they now also have a MAX Orange Line page at http://trimet.org/orangeline/ which comes complete with a countdown clock to the SECOND of the opening on September 12, 2015. So your guess is as good as mine, but it looks more and more like there will be an Orange Line, and that it will overlap with the Yellow and Green Lines on the north-south route through the downtown core.

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 9/15/14:

TriMet starts countdown to Portland-Milwaukie line's 2015 opening

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) has added a "countdown clock" on its website to mark the remaining days of construction until the Portland-Milwaukie MAX Orange light-rail line opens on Sept. 12, 2015.

This story

[Sloan]

Last rail section of Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project welded (Photos & Video)

A crew welded together a final joint in the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project near the rail transit center in downtown Milwaukie Nov. 18, 2014.

http://www.oregonliv..._portland-.html

[KevinKorell]

TriMet e-mail, 3/12/15: 

 

 

Hi Rider,

The MAX Orange Line opens in six months! On September 12, new service between Portland and Oak Grove connects us—friends, families, neighbors, students and employees—with the places we want to go. Where will it take you?

Get Orange Line updates, details and more »

 

 

[Sloan]

 

 

TriMet's Orange Line to Milwaukie 'substantially complete'

 

TriMet announced this week that the Portland-to-Milwaukie light-rail project is substantially complete, meaning only intermittent, short-term construction activities will continue through the summer.

http://portlandtribu...tially-complete

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 3/30/15:

 

TriMet's new light-rail line millions under budget

 

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon's (TriMet) Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project is slated to come in $10 million to $40 million under budget, the agency officials announced late last week.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

TriMet e-mail 4/24/15:

Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project: Catch The Orange in 140 days!

 

When the MAX Orange Line opens on Sept. 12, 2015, inner southeast Portland and Milwaukie will connect to our region’s light rail system, increasing it to 60 miles and 97 stations, and bringing new transit options and destinations to riders.

 

That’s something to celebrate, and there’s no reason to wait! Visit Catch The Orange to find lots of fun events planned to mark this regional milestone.

 

These celebrations include the May 7 Spirit of Details discussion with the architect and designers of Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, a special edition of Transit on Tap with U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, two opportunities to preview Tilikum Crossing August 9, a September 9 Timbers Night and more!

 

Find event details here