September 15, 2003
(Updated) Public Process Continues For Transit Mall Light Rail Proposal
Note: This post has been updated. Any and all updates appear at the end of the original post.
Earlier this year, TriMet held a series of open houses to present three possible designs for a new light rail line along the downtown transit mall. The proposed line would form a loop from Union Station to Portland State University.
It's back in the news again, partly because they finally developed the video simulation of the right-side platform option, and partly because they are taking public comment and more events regarding the project are planned for next month, including a public hearing on October 21.
If you click through to that first link above, you'll see some graphical representations of all three options, except for a screenshot from the right-side platform video, which didn't yet exist at the time of that original post.
All three simulations are available at the "new light rail line" link above as well. For the sake of reminder, I continue to prefer the left-hand platform approach, since it seems less disruptive. Apparently, a mixture of the three options is also on the table. Critics continue to call for a subway, or at least raise questions of traffic flow problems at the junctions of east-west MAX lines and the proposed transit mall line.
Update
Here are the times, dates, and locations of the forthcoming open houses and public hearing.