November 28, 2007

Garage excavation continues at the Clackamas Town Center for I-205 Light Rail project

Blasting activities begin Dec. 3

Construction crews on the I-205 Light Rail project continue excavating for the new parking garage at Clackamas Town Center Transit Center. On Monday, Dec. 3, crews will begin blasting and drilling for the next eight weeks. Drilling work will take place everyday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Blasting activities are scheduled to take place Sunday through Friday from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Crews will place charges approximately 15-feet beneath the surface. This method is the most efficient way to loosen the underlying rock for removal. Blasts will occur at approximately 11 p.m., 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. and shouldn’t be disruptive or noticeable to nearby residents and businesses. The area will be heavily matted or confined to control any possibility of flying debris. Traffic will be stopped on the road next to the garage site for approximately five minutes for each blast.

The 750-space garage at the Clackamas Town Center Transit Center will serve the new I-205 MAX line and 12 bus lines.

About the project

TriMet’s fifth MAX line will add light rail between Gateway Transit Center and Clackamas Town Center, and to 5th and 6th avenues in downtown Portland between Union Station and Portland State University (PSU). It is the first light rail extension into Clackamas County, it will serve the heart of downtown Portland and the busiest transit destination in the TriMet system - PSU. When it opens in September 2009, it will help revitalize the Mall and poise the region for future rail extensions.