February 28, 2006

Open house features TriMet service plans

Beaverton meeting Wednesday, March 22

In March, TriMet will host a series of open houses to review future service plans and projects, including the Washington County Commuter Rail and the I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project.

Open house:

Date: Wednesday, March 22
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Place: Beaverton Community Center
12350 SW Fifth Street - Beaverton
Plan a trip to the meeting

Rail projects:

The Washington County Commuter Rail line will serve the heavily traveled I-5 and Highway 217 corridor, and connect with TriMet MAX light rail in Beaverton. Final design work for the 14.7-mile project is underway with the potential of starting construction in late 2006.

The I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail project will add light rail to 5th and 6th avenues between Union Station and Portland State University, and between Gateway Transit Center and Clackamas Town Center. The extension is part of the proposed 8.3-mile I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail project set to begin construction in mid-January 2007.

Transit Investment Plan:

The open house will also focus on TriMet's Transit Investment Plan (TIP), a rolling five-year plan, which lays out strategies to meet the region's transportation and livability goals.

The TIP is updated and revised annually, providing a framework for TriMet in partnership with local jurisdictions to leverage investment to improve the region's total transit system. Those plans include adding more Frequent Service bus lines, expanding high capacity transit and local service, and improving amenities, information, reliability, comfort and security.

About Washington Commuter Rail Line:

This fall, the project is expected to get federal approval to enter into a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) to proceed into construction.

• The trip on the Washington Commuter Rail Line will take 27 minutes, which will be 35-50 percent faster than the equivalent car trip in 2020.
• Trains will travel an average of 37 mph, with a top speed of 60 mph.
• Average daily ridership is estimated between 3,000 to 4,000 trips by 2020, with half of the riders new to transit.

For more detailed information on Washington County Commuter Rail, or to receive updates by email, visit us online at trimet.org/commuterrail/index.htm