Portland - Milwaukie Light Rail (PMLR) | Completed

[PacificNW]

I would guess those with color blindness actually have to check for the "destination" written on the train cars...

[MarkDaMan]

How a 'sonic bike lane' might work
by David Krough
Bio | Email | Follow: @KGWNews
kgw.com
Posted on February 17, 2011 at 5:24 PM
Updated today at 6:41 PM

Riding your bike across the Willamette River could soon be music to your ears. TriMet is looking to create a first-of-its-kind "sonic bike path" on its new Willamette River Bridge built just south of OMSI.

It would be part of the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project.

The "sonic bike path" would entail two special strips on each end of the bridge. Each would be 150 feet long and made up of a series of grooves that when biked over would create a melody.

The song TriMet is considering is Simon and Garfunkel’s "49th Street Bridge Song" with the chorus -- "Feelin’ Groovy."

"The idea is to make the bridge sing," said Mary Priester, Public Art Manager for TriMet.

Jonathan Maus, publisher of BikePortland.org calls the idea interesting.

"I think it could be another thing that marks Portland as another place people can come and ride their bike," said Maus.

"Definitely keeping Portland weird and entertaining the cyclists," said cyclist Shari White.

But not all are in tune with this project.

"As a biker I depend on sound a lot and I would worry it would be distracting," said cyclist Scott Newcomb.

At a time when bus services are being cut, some argue the money could be better spent.

"It’s kind of a thrill that would be nice, but I’m not sure it would be appreciated as much as it would cost," said Jim Kennedy who lives in Tigard.

But according to TriMet money for the "sonic bike path" would come from a fund already set aside that can only be used for artistic projects.

"It’s a completely different pot of money ... it’s project money it’s not operations funds," explained Priester.

TriMet is quick to point out this is still just a proposal. It plans to test out a "model" this year, and if successful cyclists could be "rolling out a rhythm" within a few years.

The new transit bridge is set to open in 2015.

[urbanlife]

My first reaction to this "sonic bike lane" is dumb...I am not sure I see the point of this...hell, on a bike I would probably get annoyed with this really quick, but that's me.

[2oh1]

I saw this story on KGW last night and it made me think of the piano stairs project. Link.

[bvpcvm]

I got an answer from TriMet:

Thank you for your interest in the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project. The light rail alignment being created between Portland State University and north Clackamas County will be a new line/color because most trains from the future Park Avenue station in the south will turn around at Union Station. This routing allows the line to avoid crossing the Steel Bridge, which already serves three MAX lines.

In addition, having the new light rail service be a new line/color creates more flexibility for system growth and connections in the future, should light rail be extended to Vancouver, WA, for instance.

Thanks again for your inquiry.

Regards,

John Fall
Communications Coordinator
TriMet Capital Projects

[65MAX]

Uh, wrong.

There are 4 lines that cross the Steele Bridge, not 3. And either of the Yellow or Green lines could be a through line to Milwaukie without adding a single train to the bridge.

Also, if a fifth through line needs to be added in the future, Orange and/or Purple could be added then. But given the Steele Bridge is almost at capacity, 5 lines are going to require a subway alignment through downtown.

Sounds like Trimet's Communications Coordinator is unaware of some basic facts.

[NJD]

hmmm, must be a frequency thing if it's to be an 'orange' line instead of a continuation of the lower ridership yellow line. Or it could be a political thing since Vancouver will only want to part-fund yellow line service to downtown and not any further into Oregon.

I never imagined Milwaukie Max to be a continuation of the green line, I always assumed that would be reserved for Barbur Max (if it ever gets built, and built as LRT instead of another mode like BRT).

Anyway, it is interesting that it will be branded as a new line. It makes me wonder if they have issues with frequency on the blue line since they have to keep extending the red line to accommodate growth on the west side...

[zilfondel]

^ Well, extending the Red Line to add frequency makes sense, as its cheaper to have trains only go part of the length of the blue line instead of the whole way. Closer in stops to downtown may have higher ridership - at least BTC is a major transfer point.

[MarkDaMan]

Rosales + Partners/SBP
Construction of the new light-rail bridge across the Willamette River, seen here in this conceptual drawing, will begin this summer.

Feds approve design for Portland-Milwaukie light-rail line
Published: Tuesday, March 29, 2011, 5:43 PM Updated: Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 6:15 AM
Joseph Rose, The Oregonian By Joseph Rose, The Oregonian The Oregonian

TriMet can move full speed ahead on a final design of the $1.5 billion Portland-Milwaukie light rail line.

The Federal Transit Administration has approved the 7.3-mile project to enter into the final design process, allowing Oregon's largest transit agency to finally begin working with neighbors and property owners to map out the proposed Orange Line.

Until now, TriMet has been restricted to designing only about 30 percent of the project, consisting mostly of locating stations along the region's fifth light rail line.

There was little doubt that federal officials would allow TriMet to move forward with a final design, especially since they gave the agency early approval to move forward on building a new Willamette River bridge.

Still, agency officials said Tuesday that they had cleared a "significant" hurdle toward seeing MAX service extended from Portland to Milwaukie.

"This approval means that the region's top transit priority stays on schedule as it moves closer to construction," said TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane.

McFarlane said construction will create about 14,000 jobs.

TriMet said the final design process, which requires extensive public input and open houses along the line, is expected to last about a year.

Before giving a green light to the final design process, the FTA reviewed a 6-foot-high stack of documents that included the scope, schedule, budget and safety plan for the project.

"They want to know that we have the capacity to design, finance, build and operate the new line," McFarlane said, "and that all of our documents communicate our ability to accomplish this."

The final design status provides what the FTA calls pre-award authority for design, real estate, needed demolition, utility relocation, and purchase of longer lead materials, such as rails and ties, McFarlane said.

new.bridge.jpgView full sizeRosales + Partners/SBPConstruction of the new light-rail bridge across the Willamette River, seen here in this conceptual drawing, will begin this summer.
After final design is completed, TriMet said it expects to sign a contract with the federal government for its commitment to fund 50 percent of the project. Last summer, the federal government rejected TriMet's request for 60 percent in matching money for the project, requiring the agency to scratch for millions more in local matching funds.

"We have identified all of the local funding we need," said TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch, "but we are still working on the agreements."

The project partners include Clackamas County, Metro, Milwaukie, Multnomah County, Oregon City, the Oregon Department of Transportation, Portland Development Commission, Portland and TriMet.

Among other things, TriMet is expected to acquire 144 pieces of property – 56 full, 81 partial and seven permanent easements – along the line's right of way.

Bridge construction is slated to begin this summer, during the Willamette River's July-through-October "fish window," on what will be the nation's largest car-free urban crossing.

Only trains, buses, streetcars, pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to use the 1,720-foot bridge. The Orange Line is expected to open in September 2015.

Because of the limited construction windows in the Willamette River, TriMet said the FTA approved early construction work on the bridge. The "fish window" allows work in the river from July through October.

– Joseph Rose

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/i...portland-.html

[65MAX]

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

Rosales + Partners/SBP
Construction of the new light-rail bridge across the Willamette River, seen here in this conceptual drawing, will begin this summer.

Feds approve design for Portland-Milwaukie light-rail line
Published: Tuesday, March 29, 2011, 5:43 PM Updated: Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 6:15 AM
Joseph Rose, The Oregonian By Joseph Rose, The Oregonian The Oregonian

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/i...portland-.html

Great news!! Looking forward to seeing this new bridge.

[zilfondel]

^^^ Rosales was booted from the design process after they were not selected for the final design portion. The design will be solely cable-stayed (not cable stayed + suspension, picutred above)

[bvpcvm]

oh, why not... another article about people whining about MLR:

http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/...64074746443400

'Ugliest bridge in America'?

Milwaukie councilors and residents pan the preliminary sketch for the light rail bridge across Kellogg Lake

By Raymond Rendleman
The Clackamas Review, Apr 12, 2011, Updated 2.8 hours ago


courtesy of TriMet

A rendering of TriMet's light-rail bridge over Kellogg Lake shows the view to the east, from the south side of McLoughlin Boulevard, with the structure passing over River Road. In the background, the structure returns to grade on its way to the Park Avenue station.



Milwaukie citizens and the City Council voiced a public display of disgust last week after seeing TriMet's preliminary design for a 1,675-foot-long light-rail bridge across Kellogg Lake. A concept plan calls for a 32-foot-wide steel and concrete structure flaring to 42 feet as it enters the Lake Road station.

Oak Grove resident Les Poole came to the City Council meeting last week to represent unincorporated Oak Grove neighbors who are “outraged” over the 30-foot height of the bridge, which rises over a ravine higher than the neighboring street level.

“It's bound to be an inaccessible eyesore,” Poole said.

Dave Unsworth, TriMet's deputy project director, said that the agency will be seeking public comment throughout the year on the design of the bridge. Unsworth noted that the bridge’s height will allow for pedestrian access to be added underneath the span at a later date when the agency secures funding.

Originally, the bridge would have included a support in the middle of Kellogg Lake, Unsworth noted. But he worked with the city on a design omitting the central pier to aid in the city’s long-term plan of removing Kellogg Dam, draining the lake and returning it to a stream bed.

Neighbors remained concerned about the environmental impacts of the bridge. TriMet is working to address these concerns by proposing to restore nearby wetlands with assistance from Milwaukie Presbyterian Church, which owns property adjacent to the water, as part of its process of securing environmental approvals for the bridge.

The project will not be ready for construction until February 2012, according to Unsworth. Construction won't begin “in earnest” until next July, when activity in the river would have the least effect on migratory fish. Pilings from an old pedestrian bridge over Kellogg will be removed as part of the project.

TriMet has a more finalized plan for its light rail bridge over the Willamette River, on which preliminary construction has already begun. Unsworth spent more time at last week's Milwaukie City Council meeting presenting information and photos on Portland's bridge than Milwaukie's.

There is only one preliminary sketch of the Kellogg light rail bridge (see photo). The draft concept rendering focuses on the proposed structure, not surrounding conditions.

Councilor Dave Hedges was “appalled” by the design of the bridge and urged TriMet to find ways to make it blend in with the natural area and nearby wooden railroad trestle.

“Somebody succeeded in producing for Milwaukie a bridge that would probably win the ugliest bridge in America contest,” Hedges said. “That’s a beautiful part of Milwaukie, and you’ve destroyed it, and I’m somebody who thinks that light rail in a very broad sense is a good idea.”

Hedges said he liked the design for Portland's light rail bridge better, so he hoped that TriMet would take his comments as constructive criticism.
Dion Shepard, who lives on Lake Road near the proposed line, said she’s given up on getting a design that’s as good as Portland’s.

“We need to address the negative impacts of the noise and the lights,” Shepard said.

Downtown activist Ed Zumwalt urged the City Council to keep up its advocacy for a better bridge, along with safety and environmental efforts.

“You’re our last line of defense … You have to help us,” Zumwalt said.
The federal government will not contribute more than $745 million, or half of the overall cost of the light-rail line. TriMet will complete a cost estimate for the Kellogg bridge in July.

TriMet hopes to begin the rail service by September 2015.

Copyright 2011 Pamplin Media Group, 6605 S.E. Lake Road, Portland, OR 97222 • 503-226-6397

[bvpcvm]

TriMet reviewing private proposal to develop Portland-Milwaukie light rail project's Tacoma Station

Published: Tuesday, May 03, 2011, 5:34 PM Updated: Tuesday, May 03, 2011, 5:59 PM
By Matt Buxton, The Oregonian


View full size

Baysinger Partners
The proposed layout of the Oregon Worsted plan for the Tacoma Light Rail Station.


When federal funding for the Portland-Milwaukie light rail project was slashed last year, one of the many cuts along the line was at the Tacoma Station, the rail's southernmost stop in Portland.

A planned 800-stall park-and-ride garage was cut down to a 320-stall surface lot, but that could change this week as TriMet is in the final stages of reviewing a proposal by the owner of the 7.8-acre site to build a 320-stall parking garage. In return, Oregon Worsted would get the opportunity to build an adjacent 60,000 to 100,000-square-foot retail space on the property.

Oregon Worsted would foot the bill for the construction and lease the garage, which could be expanded to 800 spaces if needed, to TriMet. For TriMet, it would mean the agency could avoid the cost of building the on-surface lot altogether and send funds to other places said Peter Stark, an architect who represents Oregon Worsted on the proposal.

"We see it as a win-win-win," he said, adding that it could add value and popularity to the stop.

Mary Fetsch, spokeswoman for TriMet, said the agency is in the process of reviewing the proposal and would likely have a decision later this week. But she said the proposed cost to lease each parking space, estimated to be $220 to $240 per stall per month, is about twice what TriMet would typically pay.

Stark said that the proposal was primarily designed as a first step in opening up a dialogue with TriMet. He said Oregon Worsted, which owns Mill End fabric stores, has been interested in developing the site into a retail location for some time and that the federal cut represented an opportunity for a public and private partnership.

With Oregon Worsted footing the bill for construction and donating the value of a chunk of land for the TriMet station, Stark said that the proposed partnership could yield anywhere between $15 and $45 million in value to the public agency.

"The original thing was a parking garage that generated no revenue and no jobs," he said. But with the retail proposal "you have a private owner paying property taxes, payroll taxes and it appreciates in value."


At this point, Stark said the proposal calls for a single retailer to occupy the space, which would have its own garage parking separate from the proposed TriMet structure. At this time, Oregon Worsted plans on putting in a Mill End store, but has received interest from other retailers.

"There has been serious interest from two -- possibly three -- grocers in the area," he said, "and we're continuing to pursue that. If we're able to get a green light from TriMet and proceed with this, we would start to seriously discuss other opportunities other than Mill End."

He said Oregon Worsted is flexible and willing to work on the plan, but he's optimistic that they've "come to a solution that would benefit everybody."

- Matt Buxton; On twitter: @SEPDXreporter; And don't forget to check out the O's Southeast Portland website.






© 2011 OregonLive.com. All rights reserved.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/portland_...ight_rail.html

[bvpcvm]

Even MLR has to go through design review: public notice for the elevated structure at RiverPlace. Contains maps, renderings.

[RainDog]

AAaawwww Yeeeaaah

http://www.trimet.org/pm/construction/bridgecams.htm

[Shilo Rune 96]

Originally Posted by RainDog

AAaawwww Yeeeaaah

http://www.trimet.org/pm/construction/bridgecams.htm

Haha, what a coincidence, I was watching these this morning... there was a little row boat out at 6 AM.

[tworivers]

TriMet begins work on first new Willamette bridge in 40 years
Groundbreaking ceremony set Thursday for nearly $134 million transit-only structure

By Jim Redden
The Portland Tribune, Jun 27, 2011


Courtesy of TriMet

Construction of the 7.3-mile Portland-to-Milwaukie light-rail line begins Thursday morning when ground is broken for a transit bridge across the Willamette River between South Waterfront and the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry.

The 10 a.m. groundbreaking ceremony is expected to attract a number of local officials, including Oregon U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer and Portland Mayor Sam Adams. Work in the water is scheduled to begin July 1.

The entire light-rail project is budgeted at $1.49 billion. The bridge will cost $134 million. When completed, the line will provide MAX service from the southern end of Portland State University to downtown Milwaukie.

The transit bridge will be the first span built over the Willamette since the Fremont Bridge, which started construction 40 years ago. When finished, it will carry light-rail trains, buses, streetcars, pedestrians and bicyclists across the river. Private automobiles will not be allowed on the bridge.
Closing the streetcar loop

The Portland-to-Milwaukie line has been many years in the planning. It is funded by a variety of project partners, including the Federal Transit Administration, the Oregon State Lottery, Metro, TriMet, the city of Portland, Clackamas County, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the city of Milwaukie.

In recent months, TriMet has closed a projected budget gap by securing additional funding commitments from itself, Portland, Metro and ODOT.

Portland officials consider the project — including the bridge — essential to the success of South Waterfront, the neighborhood growing on the west bank of the Willamette River south of the Ross Island bridge.

Because automobile access is limited in the area, city planners are counting on residents and workers having access to a variety of transportation options, including transit and pedestrian and bicycle connections.

The bridge will eventually carry streetcars between inner west and east Portland, closing the long-planned Portland Streetcar loop around the downtown core. The streetcar project is one of Adams’ top priorities.

[tworivers]

Clackamas County residents try to stop Portland-Milwaukie light rail
POSTED: Monday, July 11, 2011 at 01:54 PM PT
BY: Angela Webber, DJC


Jim Knapp. He "just wants to be left alone". (Photo by Sam Tenny/DJC)

Clackamas County has more than a year to come up with its $25 million contribution for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project, and has started having serious discussions about where that money will come from. One of the county’s preferred funding sources would be the formation of a new urban renewal area around the intersection of McLoughlin Boulevard and Park Avenue, where the new-light rail line is planned to end.

However, the county is hearing rumblings of opposition from an assortment of people who oppose the light-rail project and have asked the county’s commissioners to put the county’s portion of light rail to a public vote, including the $25 million and construction of a station and Park & Ride facility in unincorporated Clackamas County.

Though Clackamas County officials and the local transit agency, TriMet, say it’s too late to stop the project, some country residents feel that decision was made without listening to local public opinion.

“Even if the citizens vote to approve it, at least they have the right to say whether or not that’s how they want their money used,” county resident Thelma Haggenmiller said.

Jim Knapp, who also lives in Clackamas County, opposes the project. He says that the line will be underutilized and bring crime to his community of Oak Grove, which “just wants to be left alone,” he said.

“I hope the commissioners are listening,” Knapp said. “I’m feeling this rage going on with people, on spending money on projects that are outside the county.”

If that sounds familiar, it’s because Knapp is among the same cast that supported bringing Clackamas County’s $22 million contribution for the Sellwood Bridge project to a vote this May. When Clackamas County voted against the additional vehicle registration fee that would have funded that project, the county backed off its contribution altogether. The $290 million Sellwood Bridge project currently faces a $42 million budget shortfall.

This time around, however, the county isn’t likely to back out on its contribution, said Ellen Rogalin, a spokeswoman for the county’s transportation and development department.

“There are people who think that if the commission doesn’t do what they want, the commission hasn’t heard them,” said Rogalin. “They’ve been heard. We went through a public process before signing the contract (with TriMet).”

The county’s $25 million contribution was laid out in an intergovernmental agreement that the board approved 18 months ago. They have until Sept. 2012 to come up with the funds, with the possibility of extending that deadline for a year, to Sept. 2013.

“It is a contract,” said county spokesman Tim Heider. “There is an obligation and it has to be met.”

As for what Knapp and others are asking for, it’s unclear how the issue would even go on the ballot. The funding of the Sellwood Bridge was brought to the voters through a referendum process, but there is no such process moving for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project.

There is one way that voters could weigh in—possibly. A former Oregon City mayor, John Williams, is gathering signatures for a referendum that, if passed, would require voter approval of major urban renewal decisions in Clackamas County. If that referendum gets on the ballot in November and passes, Clackamas County wouldn’t be able to pay for the light-rail project with a new urban renewal area without voters approving that plan, Williams said.

Regardless, Rogalin says that the county will find a way to fund the light-rail project. If urban renewal isn’t the selected method, the county could take out a line of credit to be paid back through general fund dollars, or it could issue Full Faith and Credit Obligation Bonds. Rogalin also expects the county to cut down some of the $25 million amount by offering in-kind contributions to TriMet through land and staff time. Trimet and the federal government will determine how much these in-kind contributions will save Clackamas County later this year, said Dan Blocher, TriMet’s executive director of capital projects.

“How (the Clackamas County board) determines where their contribution comes from will be the focus of their work over the next year and a half,” said Trimet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch. “They’re committed to this project and we believe they’ll be at the table.”

[65MAX]

"...Jim Knapp, who also lives in Clackamas County, opposes the project. He says that the line will be underutilized and bring crime to his community of Oak Grove, which “just wants to be left alone,” he said.

Typical racist fearmongering. Who the hell elected this idiot to represent all of Clackamas County? Oh, that's right, he DOESN'T represent Clackamas County at all. Shut up and go crawl back into your xenophobic hole. You want to be left alone? Move to Montana.


“I hope the commissioners are listening,” Knapp said. “I’m feeling this rage going on with people, on spending money on projects that are outside the county.”

What the hell is he talking about? Last time I checked, Milwaukie and Oak Grove were IN Clackamas County.

[NJD]

...in related news from the other side of the planet from Mr. Knapp:

Portland Approves Plan For New Light Rail Line
April Baer | July 14, 2011
OPB News http://news.opb.org/article/portland...ght-rail-line/

The Portland City Council has approved a plan to raise several million dollars for a new light rail line and a few other transportation projects.

read more

I love this part:

"As you know, developers do not like fees. But in this case, from my persective, we're willing to pay when we see the benefit," Tevis said

No one spoke in opposition.