Oregon to receive nearly $100M in federal funding for light rail

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Oregon will get nearly $100 million in federal funding to expand TriMet’s MAX Redline from the Beaverton Transit Center in Hillsboro.

U.S. Sens Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the funding on Tuesday. The $99.99 million in funding will also increase the reliability of the light rail system between Portland International Airport and Beaverton Transit Center.

“Public transportation is a vital service that countless Oregonians in the metro area rely on to commute to work, pick up their prescriptions and groceries, and more,” said Merkley. “Strengthening our transit infrastructure will not only help our communities weather this pandemic but will contribute to a strong foundation for the future and help us rebuild our economy with sustainable transportation. I’m pleased that this funding is making its way to TriMet and will continue to fight for transit resources across our state.”

The funding is in addition to the $185 million the state received as part of the Coronavirus Aide, Recovery and Economic Security (CARES) Act. That funding was intended to help TriMet’s bus, rail, and paratransit services respond to the coronavirus crisis by paying operational expenses like fuel, supplies, personal protective equipment, salaries, and administrative leave to accommodate service reductions and quarantined workers.

“Mass transit is essential for residents in the metropolitan Portland area both to get through COVID19 now and to build upon on the other side of this public health and economic crisis,” Wyden said. “Oregonians depend on MAX each day to get to their jobs, buy goods, travel conveniently to the airport, and much more. I am gratified these needed resources are en route to TriMet, and I will keep battling for these federal resources to support sustainable transit in the metro region and everywhere else in Oregon.”

TriMet’s General Manager Doug Kelsey estimated the expansion project would create around 1,200 construction jobs.