The MAX Red Line provides vital connections within our region, including service to Portland International Airport. As we continue looking at ways to improve our system, we’re planning to make the Red Line more reliable and extend service to the Fair Complex Center in Hillsboro. This wide-ranging project is currently in the engineering phase, with work to be completed over multiple years.
In 2020, the project was recommended for federal funding.
Riders and community members in Beaverton and Hillsboro have been requesting more MAX service for years. And we can see why: During the afternoon peak, Blue Line trains are full while Red Line trains are generally only half-full, suggesting that many riders need to travel farther west than Beaverton Transit Center.
Over on the east side, we’re planning to add a second track to sections of the Red Line near Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center and Portland International Airport. Using the existing single track, delayed Red Line trains affect Green and Blue line trains passing through Gateway — even small delays can have a domino effect that spreads throughout the system. A second Red Line track would separate airport-bound trains from trains heading to City Center, Beaverton and Hillsboro.
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Project costs are approximately $206 million, including four new light rail vehicles to accommodate the increased service.