FTA recognizes Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project for outstanding achievement
October 7, 2011
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded Metro and TriMet the 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Presentation for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) produced for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project.
The EIS details the benefits, impacts and costs of the project in a clear, concise publication meant to be easily understood by the public and project stakeholders. When presenting the award this week, the FTA noted that the project EIS "distinguishes itself in a number of ways," highlighting the document's "plain language and clear writing," easy to understand graphics, and inclusion of climate change information, along with the project's overall "comprehensive public involvement approach" and detailed website.
"This award underscores the great effort Metro, TriMet and our partners have put into ensuring the public has access to vital facts about the project," said TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane. "We're gratified that these efforts have been recognized by the FTA."
The project EIS was prepared by Metro and TriMet with key consultant assistance from Parametrix.
About the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project
The 7.3-mile project is the region's sixth MAX line to be built and extends from the terminus of the MAX Green and Yellow lines at Portland State University to South Waterfront, Southeast Portland, Milwaukie and Park Avenue in Clackamas County. The project includes 10 stations and the first bridge constructed over the Willamette River in more than 40 years. It will create up to 14,000 jobs and generate $573 million in personal earnings. Federal funds will pay for half of the $1.49 billion project, state and local partners are funding the balance. TriMet's share is less than 5 percent of the project budget and will not be needed until 2013. The line is set to open in September 2015.
Project partners
Clackamas County, Metro, City of Milwaukie, Multnomah County, City of Oregon City, Oregon Department of Transportation, City of Portland, Portland Development Commission and TriMet.
For more information about the project, please visit trimet.org/pm.