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South Corridor Phase II: Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project

Planning and conservation    Transportation    Portland-Milwaukie light rail

Learn about the plans to construct a MAX line serving communities in North Clackamas County, Southeast Portland and South Waterfront.

New Portland-Milwaukie web site

Find the latest public involvement opportunities and project information on TriMet's project web site. Go

What happens with your comment?

Did you submit comments during the 45-day public comment period last spring? Each comment will be answered in the Final Environmental Impact Statement, to be published spring 2010. All comments received were published in the Public Comment Report.  

The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project is entering the final stage of the planning process. Local jurisdictions approved the light rail's route, terminus and station locations by adopting a Locally Preferred Alternative in July 2008. In early 2009 Metro will begin work on the Final Environmental Impact Statement and TriMet will begin Preliminary Engineering.

Moving forward, TriMet will lead the project's public involvement. Visit TriMet's Portland-Milwaukie site for the latest on the new Willamette River bridge, project updates and opportunities to participate. Go

Proposed project

The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project will travel 7.3 miles, connecting Portland State University in downtown Portland, inner Southeast Portland, Milwaukie and north Clackamas County. MAX service on the alignment is scheduled to begin in 2015. By 2030, when this future light rail line will carry up to 27,400 daily rides, there will be approximately 22,000 households and 85,000 employees within walking distance of Portland-Milwaukie light rail stations.

Portland-Milwaukie LPA

The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project is a partnership among Metro, TriMet, City of Portland, City of Milwaukie, City of Oregon City, Clackamas County, Multnomah County, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Project study and public participation

The Federal Transit Administration approved the official release of the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement on May 9, 2008. This document presents details of the project alternatives and their environmental and transportation performance to decision-makers and the public to help them identify a preferred alternative. More about the SDEIS

The release triggered a 45-day comment period and a series of public meetings formally announced in the federal register Notice of Availability. Comments received from May 9 through June 23, 2008 are included in the comment report and will receive a written response in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. More about the comment report

Project timeline

  • Spring 2007: refinement work, steering committee decision on Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement and definitions of alternatives report
  • Summer 2007: conceptual engineering, environmental and financial analysis and travel demand forecasts
  • Winter 2007 through Spring 2008: draft Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Federal Transit Administration review and approval
  • Summer 2008: 45-day public comment period and public meetings, locally preferred alternative decision
  • Spring 2009 through Spring 2010: draft Final Environmental Impact Statement
  • 2011 through 2015: construction of light rail line, stations and bridge

The critical path and timeline flowchart are available below.

NEED ASSISTANCE?

Metro transportation planning
503-797-1756
trans@oregonmetro.gov

Files and related materials

Related Documents

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Files that are downloadable from this page

Related Links

Metro Council gives final approval for light-rail projects

News release: Jan. 16, 2004 - The Metro Council unanimously approved two decisions that will make way for more detailed engineering work and environmental analysis on the I-205 and downtown Portland segments of the South Corridor light-rail project.

South Corridor Policy Committee members step up to face future transportation needs

News release: Feb. 14, 2003 - Committee unanimously recommends construction of two phases of light rail as the preferred major transit investments in the southeastern portion of the region.

Feds okay next step in South Corridor transit project

News release: Dec. 9, 2002 - Signing of the South Corridor Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) signals its completion.

Related Internet links

Featured viewpoint

I've seen the kinds of opportunities and investment light rail has brought to other parts of the region and I believe the same will follow right here in Milwaukie.

News highlight

Metro Council approves Locally Preferred Alternative
The Metro Council unanimously approved the Locally Preferred Alternative for the 7.4-mile Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project. The line will provide new transportation options for communities in North Clackamas County, Southeast Portland and the South Waterfront area.

Featured item

Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project newsletter
The project newsletter offers information on the SDEIS, a summary of the project goals, considerations and decision-making process.

Regional transportation

What about river users?

Metro and its partners are investigating the possible effects of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project Willamette River crossing on river users. A key tool in this effort is the river survey provided by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
View the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers survey chart
View the Portland to Walnut Eddy survey chart

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503-797-1700
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