Tag: TriMet FX

Infrastructure, Transportation

TriMet Moves Forward with Nearly 7 Miles of Transit-Priority Lanes on 82nd Ave

On Friday, February 13th, TriMet leadership instructed the 82nd Avenue Transit Project designers to work toward creating 7 miles of Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes along most of Portland’s portion of 82nd Avenue. The transformative project would convert the 72 bus line into a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system under TriMet’s FX (Frequent Express) moniker, with high-capacity vehicles, modern stations, traffic signal priority, and, now, transit priority on the outer lanes of 82nd Avenue. This updated project scope will increase the current project’s proposed $350 million budget by at least $8 million, and the project partners are depending on yet-unawarded $150 million in federal funding.

TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. made the directive to advance the incorporation of significant BAT lane allocation in the design at the project’s Policy & Budget Committee meeting. This follows months of public dispute over restricting a lane of automotive travel in each direction on a busy north/south connector road that was formerly a state highway until transferring to Portland’s ownership in 2022. BAT lanes serve two primary functions in a transportation network. They are focused on providing local access for vehicles on congested streets and on providing transit systems with a less encumbered lane to move more reliably between stops. Advocates for the design note that driving to a business’s parking lot entrance on a busy road requires a visitor to wait in rush-hour congestion even if they turn onto the street a block away. In those conditions, it can also take a significant time for a motorist leaving a driveway to exit and merge into traffic. BAT lanes can help address those situations by requiring all outer-lane travelers in private vehicles to turn right within a block. Supporters also tout the BAT lanes used by emergency vehicles, which can speed through congestion when time matters.

A green public transit bus stopped at a modern bus station with a clear shelter and seating area, surrounded by bike lanes and pedestrian pathways.

BAT lanes are strongly supported by surveyed residents who favor a faster, more effective BRT system on 82nd Avenue. People who spoke in support at the 82nd Avenue Transit Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings also appreciated the anticipated reduced speed of BAT lanes on the curb adjacent portion of the road. 82nd Avenue once had parking along its outer edges that later became travel lanes, leaving pedestrians and fast-moving vehicles inches apart. However, many businesses are concerned about the economic impact of a sudden change in vehicle throughput. Although 82nd Avenue is not at capacity at all times of day, it does often become congested, and transportation models indicate that introducing this level of BAT lanes will divert 20 to 25 percent of traffic to other routes during peak times. Local businesses that started their ventures on a state highway years ago worry that this change will force them to relocate or close as their customers take a different route to avoid heightened congestion. People advocating for 82nd Avenue to transform into a more pedestrian-forward design say that new shoppers will come by foot and by bus, but that mode shift can take years, and many of the small businesses that have made up 82nd Avenue’s culture say they cannot survive the transition timeline, which is far from certain.

Map showing city/county limits with SE Clatsop St and NE Lombard St, intersecting streets including SE Powell Blvd and SE Foster Rd, and I-84 orientation.
Feb 13 Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes graphic courtesy TriMet with MV News directional notation

The TriMet adopted design for BAT lanes closely represents the community-supported design, and the project 82nd Avenue Transit Project CAC endorsed design, referred to as the “More BAT Lanes” option, with one notable exception. The nearly seven miles of transit-priority updates will stop before and resume after SE Powell Boulevard. During the January 28th CAC meeting, presenters explained that because that cross street is still a state highway, the Oregon Department of Transportation would require significant improvements at that intersection and on SE 92nd Avenue to accommodate the agency’s design standards for vehicle throughput. They explained that it would dramatically increase project costs or significantly delay the design process, seeking exemptions.

The project is targeting a 72 FX Line opening in 2029 and still has many milestones to meet before construction can begin. Planners need to find additional funds for the BAT lane portion of the project and secure federal funding in a challenging time for states seeking support from national leaders. TriMet says the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) gave the project a Medium-High rating, a strong indicator that it could receive those funds. Proponents of the BRT investment point to this corridor as an essential focus for efforts. TriMet’s Line 72 bus provides nearly 66,000 rides each week and is the busiest bus line in TriMet’s system. It also represents the highest-ridership bus line in all of Oregon, making it an ideal candidate for upsizing to strengthen the network’s backbone. Many riders use this route along 82nd Avenue to the Clackamas Town Center to connect with other lines. Transit designers say reliable and timely performance is essential to improving the network and reducing future congestion by getting more people out of personal vehicles for daily commutes. People can provide comments and learn more at the project website (trimet.org/82nd/).

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: The author of this article previously served on the 82nd Avenue Transit Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Transportation

Transit Impact on Recreational and Historic Areas Survey

As part of the 82nd Avenue Transit Project currently under development, Oregon Metro and TriMet have launched a survey to gauge the impact of station construction on recreational and historic areas along the planned Bus Rapid Transit route. Provided details and several questions focus on work to convert the existing bus stop in front of the Montavilla Community Center, at 8219 NE Glisan Street, into an FX–Frequent Express station. Additional improvements impacting the recreational center include widening the connecting sidewalk along Montavilla Park’s NE 82nd Avenue frontage.

Mosaic artwork depicting various athletic figures on the brick wall of the Montavilla Community Center.

Transit line improvements will provide faster bus service along 82nd Avenue from the Cully
neighborhood to Clackamas Town Center through a partnership between TriMet, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and Metro. The project offers several components that will impact 72 bus riders and street users along the route. Draft plans will transform some sections of the pedestrian zone near stations by improving sidewalks where they connect to new boarding platforms, offering covered seating, lighting, trash cans, and digital signage similar to some FX2 stops on SE Division Street.

Expanding the sidewalk width along Montavilla Park’s western edge and creating the FX station would push the property line eastward towards a row of mature trees, making 1,300 square feet of parkland public right-of-way. Construction crews would stage materiel along the worksite using 1.37% of the adjacent park property for temporary access. TriMet expects construction work to begin in 2027 and last around two months. Visitors will retain access to the park and community center throughout the project.

Map showing the proposed improvements for the Montavilla Park and Community Center area, highlighting sidewalk widening, transit station platform, and construction impacts along the Bus Rapid Transit route.
Montavilla Park site diagram courtesy TriMet and Metro

Transit planners have asked community members to complete several surveys meant to guide the 82nd Avenue Transit Project. However, this outreach is designed to share specific information about park, recreational, and historic resources in the project corridor that pertain to federal regulations governing the transit planning process. Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act prevents harm to publicly owned parks, recreation areas, and historic sites that are along this transportation project’s path. The survey documents explain that “transportation agencies must show there is no feasible and prudent alternative and that all possible measures are taken to minimize harm.”

The other federal regulation under consideration is Section 106, which requires federal agencies to consider a project’s impact on historic properties. The Milepost 5 Apartments—originally the German Baptist Old People’s Home—at 823 NE 82nd Avenue is on the National Register of Historic Places (NHRP), and designs will need to minimize impact to that site. TriMet plans to remove the bus stop and shelter in front of that property and build a new FX station 300 feet north on the same block. Historians and archaeologists will evaluate the history, setting, and characteristics of older buildings and sites to determine whether any other resources in the project area are eligible for listing on the NHRP.

Exterior view of the Milepost 5 building, showcasing a brick structure with windows and a sign displaying 'MILEPOST 5' along with 'ART HAUS' and additional text, surrounded by landscaped grass and trees.
National Register of Historic Places registered German Baptist Old People’s Home at 823 NE 82nd Avenue (now Milepost 5 Apartments)

Survey questions allow community guidance on preservation considerations and gather comments on plans that could impact recreational spaces along 82nd Avenue, which may be affected by the transit development. The survey is available until January 18th, 2026.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: The author of this article previously served on the 82nd Avenue Transit Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Transportation

MAX and Bus Riders Check Schedules for Aug 24 Updates

Transit riders accustomed to specific schedules should check their route starting Sunday, August 24th. TriMet will adjust schedules for MAX lines and many buses that East Portlanders depend on. The FX2 Bus Rapid Transit line on SE Division and Line 20 bus are shifting times by up to 5 minutes to keep buses on time. This shift will not significantly impact people’s ability to arrive at destinations on time, but could cause the unprepared rider to miss a connection they have grown accustomed to. The transit agency recommends commuters check its Trip Planner on or after August 24th to confirm their travel plans. People can also preview changes at the organization’s website.

TriMet bus Line 20 with a 'BURNSIDE/STARK' destination sign driving on a street in East Portland.

Riders of MAX trains or bus Line 40, Line 53, Line 54, and Line 288 should review the upcoming changes at TriMet’s website. People should also note that the transit agency will close the Skidmore Fountain MAX Station on August 24th, after years of planning for improved light rail travel times through downtown. Commuters who use the Beaverton, Oregon City, or Tigard Transit Centers will need to learn new stop orientations as TriMet adjusts to accommodate more service or construction-related considerations.

These minor adjustments will not likely impact many riders’ overall usage of the transit system, but people should prepare themselves before heading out next week.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Community, Event, Government

82nd Ave Heat Islands Workshop July 22

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oregon Metro, and partner organizations will host a community workshop focused on cooling down 82nd Avenue for the health and safety of its residents. The organizers invite people to pre-register for this free event on July 22nd from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. However, organizers are seeking youth participants, renters, and community members who are not often included in planning conversations to participate. The Dharma Rain Zen Center, located at 8500 NE Siskiyou Street, will host this Tuesday evening gathering. Attendees will receive food and beverages, but registration is required, and organizers explained that space is limited.

People familiar with 82nd Avenue understand how hot it is during the summer months, as the corridor exhibits a significant heat island effect, where pavement and other elements increase the temperature higher than surrounding areas. Workshop leaders believe that addressing this Portland urban heat zone requires governments to collaborate with the people who live and work in those areas to develop community-driven ideas for a cooler, healthier, and more interconnected 82nd Avenue.

Event flyer for a community workshop titled '82ND IS HOT' aimed at cooling down 82nd Avenue, featuring a date, time, location, contact information, and QR code for registration.

This workshop will connect attendees with federal, regional, and city government officials working alongside community advocacy groups, including Oregon Walks, the 82nd Avenue Coalition, and APANO. Transit provider TriMet is also a partner organization, as it is working to expand the FX Bus Rapid Transit system along 82nd Avenue with zero-emission buses powered by hydrogen, which emit less exhaust heat.

People interested in participating should register before the slots fill up and consider sharing the information with renters and youth who can contribute their unique perspectives to solutions to the harmful temperatures in the 82nd Avenue community.

By

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the 82nd Avenue Transit Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and the board of the 82nd Avenue Business Association which is a member organization of the 82nd Avenue Coalition.

Infrastructure, Transportation

FX Transit on 82nd Apr 23 Open House

This month, TriMet will host an open house focused on bus priority concepts for the 82nd Avenue Transit Project. The April 23rd in-person event follows a previous TriMet gathering on January 22nd that centered on general project goals and bus stop consolidation. As part of the open house, organizers have also posted an online survey seeking input on outer lane usage along 82nd Avenue for bus travel and right-turning motorists. Beyond those questions regarding where project designers should implement Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes, the survey looks at high-level cost tradeoffs associated with those additions to speed up transit times for riders. TriMet also asks respondents about intersection widening at high traffic junctions, which could significantly expand project costs with land acquisition expenses but provide higher capacity for motorists and the planned FX Bus Rapid Transit system.

Since TriMet began work to extend its FX (Frequent Express) transit option along 82nd Avenue, Portlanders have wanted to know more about the potential conversion of outer travel lanes on 82nd Avenue into bus lanes. This reconfiguration would leave one travel lane in each direction with a center turn lane in some areas. Motorists would still have access to the outer bus lanes to turn right into parking lots or onto cross streets. People exiting a business’s parking lot could also turn right onto the BAT lane so they could merge with traffic at a matched speed. TriMet has two proposed deployments for BAT lanes on Portland’s seven-mile segment of 82nd Avenue. One option is to create those dedicated lanes in both directions at the northern and southern sections. They generally extend between NE Lombard and NE Tillamook Streets at the north end and SE Foster Road to SE Clatsop Street in the south. Another proposal would build BAT lanes on both sides of the street from NE Lombard to SE Clatsop Streets.

Traffic flow specialists working with TriMet have looked at the proposals and estimated how each option would improve bus travel times and slow car travel time. In both scenarios, the numbers for each metric only change by up to five minutes. However, that assumes a percentage of 82nd Avenue traffic diverts to other parallel routes like Interstate 205. Adding BAT lanes is not the only tool TriMet plans to implement for fast service on this transit line. TriMet leaders expect the 82nd Avenue Transit Project to speed up bus trips on the former 72 bus line by up to 20% through features already seen on the FX 2 line along SE Division Street. These include consolidating existing stops, bus platforms with near-level boarding at all three doors of longer busses, and eliminating delays caused by cyclists loading bikes onto the front of the bus due to internal bike space within the new vehicle. Transit-signal priority, allowing buses and signals to communicate for better intersection efficiency, offers another highly impactful design, reducing delays during congested travel times.

The survey contains specific details for anyone interested in this part of the 82nd Avenue Transit Project. TriMet staff will present more information at the April 23rd in-person Open House hosted by Portland Community College’s Southeast campus. The event will occur in the Great Hall of the Mount Tabor Building at 2305 SE 82nd Avenue from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The online survey will remain open through 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 27th.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: The author of this article serves on the 82nd Avenue Transit Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

Map graphics courtesy TriMet

Construction, Infrastructure

Sidewalk Infill on SE 82nd North of Division

Crews with Raimore Construction are creating a new paved sidewalk on the east side of SE 82nd Avenue north of SE Division Street. The work will replace mostly asphalt pedestrian walkways with standard city concrete sidewalks that better connect pedestrians to a pre-existing rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) enhanced mid-block crossing. When completed, pedestrians will gain over 300 feet of accessible walkway with defined driveway access points.

This work is part of the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) Building a Better 82nd initiative and its 82nd Avenue Major Maintenance Project. Since the jurisdictional transfer of 82nd Avenue from the Oregon Department of Transportation to PBOT on June 1st, 2022, planners have worked to implement safety improvements and address deferred maintenance along the seven-mile stretch of roadway. This short section of sidewalk infill addresses one of many areas on the former State Highway where legacy infrastructure leaves people outside of cars more vulnerable to injury. The previous asphalt walkway created a fuzzy line between where the sidewalk starts and the parking lot ends. It also allowed driveway curb cuts to extend into the pedestrian zone wider than needed so drivers could turn into the business parking area in unpredictable spots. The sloped surface of the asphalt could become challenging for people who use assistive mobility devices and limited access.

 82nd Avenue Major Maintenance Project Draft Design graphic courtesy PBOT

The sidewalk conditions directly to the north and south of this infill project are of varying conditions and widths but at least adhered to general sidewalk standards. The intersection of SE 82nd Avenue and Division Street is a frequently used transit corridor, and many people need to use the sidewalks in this area to connect or transfer from the TriMet 72 and FX 2 lines. This location is also directly across the street from Portland Community College’s Southeast campus, which has the potential to generate substantial foot traffic when students attend in-person classes.

Sidewalk work is underway in front of Taboo Video at 2330 SE 82nd Avenue. Work will continue south along the east side of SE 82nd Avenue. Drivers should anticipate curbside lane closures during the project and follow flagger directions to allow business access during construction. Pedestrians should use SE 82nd Avenue’s west sidewalk or follow the sidewalk detour around the worksite. Crews working for PBOT will install additional in-street extended median islands in the center turn lane at a future date.

Update March 25th, 2025: Crews continue adding new sidewalk working south towards the recently rebuild segment in front of Pacific Plaza.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Construction, Transportation

82nd Ave Transit Project Online Open House

On January 22nd, TriMet hosted an in-person open house to show its progress on the 82nd Avenue Transit Project designs and gather feedback from attendees. TriMet reports nearly 100 people attended the event in the Community Hall Annex at Portland Community College’s Southeast campus. The public transit provider created an online version of the open house where people can provide additional feedback through February 14th.

Online visitors can find maps of the proposed route and station locations similar to the information presented at the in-person event. The map also shows station removals planned for the new bus rapid transit (BRT) line. TriMet will implement traffic-light signal-prioritization for buses and near-level boarding platforms with dual door entry and remove underutilized stops along the route to decrease travel times for future FX-Frequent Express service. TriMet also intends to work with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to use some percentage of outer lanes along 82nd Avenue for Business Access & Transit (BAT) uses. They would reserve a yet-to-be-determined length of lanes for bus travel and for cars turning into or out of a parking lot.

As with the FX line running on SE Division Street, this new service on 82nd Avenue will have bus stations instead of stops with shelters, seating, lighting, and digital displays informing waiting riders of the next bus’s arrival time. Busses will run more often with enhanced reliability, according to planner’s estimates. TriMet recently secured funding for a fleet of zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses to operate on this line, reducing roadside noise and pollution.

TriMet expects to upgrade bus service on 82nd Avenue between Clackamas Town Center and the Cully neighborhood by 2029. This open house is the best time to provide input about the proposal. TriMet recently solicited public participation in an 82nd Avenue Transit Project Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Applications for the CAC closed on January 27th, but TriMet has not yet announced the selected members. The CAC engagement process will provide Portlanders other opportunities to interface with TriMet regarding the BRT’s development. However, the survey following the online Open House is still the most direct way to express feedback about this transit project.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Government, Infrastructure, Transportation

TriMet Celebrates Hydrogen Buses Coming to 82nd Ave

On Thursday, October 17th, TriMet leaders and members of Oregon’s congressional delegation gathered in a warehouse on NE Columbia Boulevard to address attendees. This celebratory event marked the $69 million public investment that will transform a former industrial site into a hub for hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses that will serve 82nd Avenue. Federal funds will help TriMet purchase the organization’s first zero-emissions buses powered by hydrogen and build the support infrastructure needed to operate the environmentally friendly fleet.

The Columbia Operations Facility is a vital component of TriMet’s transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet with a capacity for 250 buses. With a targeted completion date of 2030, the former Caterpillar Power Systems dealership site will play an essential role in meeting state and regional climate goals. The public transportation provider intends to replace its diesel vehicles over the next 15 years as it strives to operate an entirely zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040. In 2022, TriMet switched to renewable diesel for all fixed-route buses and WES vehicles. Earlier this year, they began taking delivery of new battery electric buses.

Conceptual rendering of TriMet’s Columbia Operations Facility

TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. explained that the transition to zero-emissions technology will significantly impact the region’s climate goals due to the region’s sizable transit usage. “Where home to more than 1.6 million people. Our region is the 23rd largest metro area in the country and the 13th highest transit ridership,” said Desue. “As Oregon’s largest consumer of diesel, TriMet’s switch to renewable diesel made the state’s transportation industry greener. And now, with TriMet adding hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses to our zero emissions bus fleet, we will help create demand for green hydrogen hubs here in the Pacific Northwest.”

Eighty-second Avenue will become an early user of the hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses as TriMet works to convert its highest ridership, line 72, to a faster system. “The federal funding we’ve received will also help purchase TriMet’s first hydrogen-powered buses that will run along our future FX or Frequent Express bus rapid transit line, which will be coming at 82nd Avenue in the years ahead. These buses will be powered by cutting-edge hydrogen technology that will emit zero pollution into the communities that we serve,” explained Desue.

Event Speakers. Left to right: TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr., U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer, and U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici

As a longtime advocate for improving 82nd Avenue, U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer’s remarks focused on the opportunities these investments will bring to a transforming district. He noted the road’s history as a freight and private vehicle conduit has caused harm to the surrounding communities, but this project can make needed repairs. “Legacy highways have played a critical role in Oregon and around the country but no longer serve that purpose. They don’t work well, they’re dangerous, and they don’t invite development,” said Blumenauer. “I think we have an opportunity to transform a street that divides the region into a corridor that’s going to unite us.”

Event Speakers. Left to right: TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr., U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici, and U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer

Funds for TriMet’s Columbia operation facility upgrades and the hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses come from multiple sources. A U.S. Department of Transportation grant from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program provided $25 million, with another $5 million from community-initiated programs and the federal budget. However, a $39 million Federal Transit Administration contribution from its Low or No Emission Grant Program provided the bulk of the $69 million public investment. U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici celebrated the joint effort of the Oregon Congressional Delegation in obtaining this level of federal funding for a regional transportation project. “I understand and appreciate that it is the responsibility of the federal government to provide resources when projects are so big and so critical, and the local jurisdictions just can’t do it on their own. So that’s part of our role,” said Bonamici.

Conceptual rendering of TriMet’s Columbia Operations Facility

Closing remarks at the event recognized the enormous collection of people who contributed to this milestone and celebrated the green jobs created by this project at the Columbia facility. “We will train more operators, more mechanics at this location. This site will support hundreds of family wage union jobs,” exclaimed Desue. The site will look significantly different as new buildings replace the industrial landscape with environmentally supportive infrastructure that can improve communities across the Portland Metro area. Already, road users are seeing crews building new sidewalks, traffic signals, and road improvements in front of the TriMet facility at 4421 NE Columbia Boulevard. As TriMet readies for a hydrogen-powered future, work will continue on the NE Columbia Boulevard facility and eventually along 82nd Avenue.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Infrastructure

Faster 72 Bus Service May Have Fewer Stops

On April 25th, the 82nd Avenue Transit Project Steering Committee voted to approve three project components for new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service along 82nd Avenue. Transportation leaders began investigating a second TriMet Frequent Express (FX) service in June 2022. They convened a Project Steering Committee of elected officials, agency leaders, and community representatives to ensure the project meets the corridors’ needs. This new BRT project could replace the north-south segment of the 72 bus line, adding enhanced bus stations and increasing the travel speed of this highly used transit option. Last month’s vote approved BRT as the transit mode, service route, and general bus station locations for this speeder service. However, one speed-increasing tactic shown in the draft map condenses 54 stops down to 31 stations, impacting some riders who will lose their preferred boarding location. TriMet ridership data predicts this project will enhance ride efficiency for the majority of the people using this route while providing similar access to the residents who rely on it for transit.

The approved route will predominately run along 82nd Avenue, turning east towards Clackamas Town Center at the line’s southern terminus. The project team is considering two options for the north end, which will serve the Cully neighborhood near the Cully Boulevard and Killingsworth Street intersection or the Parkrose Transit Center. This selection could add two or four more stations to the 72 FX Line. Before voting, Transit Project Steering Committee member Zachary Lauritzen with Oregon Walks voiced public apprehension over losing bus stops on the 72 Line, echoing other Steering Committee members’ similar concerns expressed throughout the evaluation process. Lauritzen called for infrastructure enhancements to accompany this BRT expansion so people needing to travel longer distances to the new stations could do so over modern, accessible sidewalks. TriMet notes that they spaced draft stations roughly one-third of a mile apart and said that even if the new FX line is not approved, some 72 bus stop pruning is needed along the route to remove underutilized and redundant locations.

Infographic courtesy Oregon Metro

Portland has one other FX line along SE Division Street, intersecting the proposed BRT line at SE 82nd Avenue. The FX service primarily uses longer articulated green buses to accommodate higher ridership levels. Vehicles arrive at stations frequently and communicate with the traffic equipment to change signals in their favor, reducing overall travel time. Stations offer near bus height boarding and multi-door payment systems for faster loading of passengers. Stations often extend into the road to meet the travel lane, allowing busses to stop without needing to merge back into traffic. TriMet and Portland’s traffic engineers designate segments of the outer travel lane for dedicated Business Access and Transit (BAT) use in some areas. Some of these FX 2 features could appear on this new line. The final design will happen after the group finalizes the agreed-upon project components, collectively called the locally preferred alternative (LPA).

The 82nd Avenue Transit Project team will continue to evaluate the two northern route options over the summer while meeting with organizations to align the BRT design with community needs and priorities. As the year comes to a close, project planners will develop conceptual designs and cost estimates, leading to a funding plan that will accompany the final LPA. The 82nd Avenue BRT project would require substantial Federal funding to proceed past planning, along with support from local government. If this project precedes on schedule, construction could begin in 2027, with the 72 FX Line opening in 2030. Oregon Metro created a summary of the process up to this point and should offer more opportunities for community input later in 2024.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

72 Bus Line Stops in Project Area

  • Clackamas Town Center Transit Center
  • Clackamas Town Center Mall
  • SE 82nd and Causey
  • SE 82nd and Boyer Drive
  • SE 82nd and King
  • 10100 Block SE 82nd
  • SE 82nd and Overland
  • SE 82nd and Lindy
  • SE 82nd and Clatsop
  • SE 82nd and Crystal Springs
  • SE 82nd and Lambert
  • SE 82nd and Flavel
  • SE 82nd and Ogden
  • SE 82nd and Glenwood
  • SE 82nd and Duke
  • SE 82nd and Tolman
  • SE 82nd and Woodstock
  • SE 82nd and Ramona
  • SE 82nd and Foster
  • SE 82nd and Raymond Ct
  • SE 82nd and Schiller
  • SE 82nd and Holgate
  • SE 82nd and Boise
  • SE 82nd and Francis
  • SE 82nd and Rhone
  • SE 82nd and Powell
  • SE 82nd and Tibbetts
  • SE 82nd and Woodward
  • SE 82nd and Clinton
  • SE 82nd and Division
  • SE 82nd and Harrison
  • SE 82nd and Mill
  • SE 82nd and Hawthorne
  • SE 82nd and Salmon
  • SE 82nd and Yamhill
  • SE 82nd and Washington
  • SE 82nd and Stark
  • SE 82nd and Ash
  • SE 82nd and E Burnside
  • NE 82nd and Davis
  • NE 82nd and Glisan
  • NE 82nd and Oregon
  • NE 82nd and Holladay
  • NE 82nd and Multnomah
  • NE 82nd and 82nd Ave MAX Stn/I-84
  • NE 82nd and Schuyler
  • NE 82nd and Tillamook
  • NE 82nd and Sacramento
  • NE 82nd and McDaniel HS
  • NE 82nd and Siskiyou
  • NE 82nd and Klickitat
  • NE 82nd and Fremont
  • NE 82nd and Beech
  • NE 82nd and Sandy

Proposed 72 FX Stop After Change

  • Clackamas Town Center Transit Center
  • Clackamas Town Center
  • SE Causey Ave and SE 82nd Ave
  • South of SE Boyer Dr and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE King Rd and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Otty Rd and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Overlond St and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Lindy St and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Crystal Springs Blvd and SE 82nd Ave
  • ES Flavel St and ES 82nd Ave
  • SE Bybee and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE DukeStand SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Woodstock St and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Foster Rd and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Raymond St and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Holgate Blvd and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Boise Si and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Powell Blvd and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Woodward St and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Division St and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE MLli St and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Taylor Ct and SE 82nd Ave
  • SE Stark/Washington St and NE 82nd Ave
  • E Burnside St and NE 82nd Ave
  • NE Gisan St and NE 82nd Ave
  • NE Holladay St and NE 82nd Ave
  • I-84 and NE 82nd Ave
  • NE Tillamook St and NE 82nd Ave
  • McDaniel High School and NE 82nd Ave
  • NE Fremont St and NE 82nd Ave
  • NE Sandy Blvd and NE 82nd Ave
Infrastructure

TriMet Adjusts Bus Routes and Frequency

On August 27th, TriMet will expand and improve bus service on several lines as the public transportation service works to rebalance the system for those who depend on it. As some routes improve access and frequency, service in higher-income areas with low ridership will decrease. These updates are part of a continuing effort by TriMet to better serve people with lower incomes that disproportionately rely on public transit for daily travel.

TriMet plans updates for 26 bus lines. However, only a few will impact Montavilla Riders. NE Glisan’s number 19 line will see buses arriving every 30 minutes for an extended portion of the day, every day of the week. Bus drivers will use the Tilikum Crossing instead of the Ross Island Bridge to improve transit-time reliability. TriMet will discontinue service on SE Rex Street and SE 32nd Avenue to shorten the overall trip for bus 19 riders.

Service operators will adjust weekend schedules for the FX2 rapid bus service along SE Division Street by up to 4 minutes. These changes are minimal and will help keep buses on time. However, after August 26th, riders should review the updated schedule to avoid missing their intended connection. Route planners will expand the existing Frequent Service on the 15-Belmont/NW 23rd line. After the update, weekend buses along NW 23rd Avenue will arrive every 15 minutes starting at 9:00 a.m. The Hollywood Transit Center will close its bus loading area to facilitate the construction of the HollywoodHUB affordable housing development. That closure will shift lines 75 and 77 to temporary stops on NE 42nd, Broadway, and Halsey.

The August 27th updates are part of TriMet’s Forward Together initiative. That service concept focuses on rider equity while increasing the system’s functionality. Changes to bus stops and routes will undoubtedly disrupt some people’s commutes. However, rebalancing the transportation system is a key advantage of bus networks compared to rail systems, and it is a sound method of increasing ridership by routing buses near the places people want to travel to. Frequent transit users should review all changes at the TriMet site and check the trip planner to ensure they will arrive at their destination on time.

By

Jacob Loeb

Illustrations courtesy TriMet

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