TriMet’s proposed Measure 26-218, if passed, would establish funding for nearly 150 proposed transportation projects in the region, including bus rapid transit (BRT) lines along four major corridors across Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties.
If the proposed measure passes, employers with more than 25 employees would pay a tax of up to 0.75 percent of their payroll in the Metro district, beginning in 2022. If the measure does not pass, the payroll tax will not be assessed and the BRT projects as proposed will not be completed.
The model for the proposed BRT projects
TriMet is already building its first type of BRT project separate from the projects that would get funding if Measure 26-218 passes. The Division Street Transit Project, funded by the Federal Transit Administration and local sources, is currently under construction and would serve as a starting point for future high-capacity bus projects in the region. Once completed in 2022, the project would reduce bus travel times by up to 20 percent along Division Street between Downtown Portland and Gresham by incorporating:
- About 28 blocks of dedicated bus/business access lanes to move buses around traffic at key locations;
- Transit signal priority at key intersections that let buses move first;
- Longer 60-foot buses to carry more riders at a time; and
- 42 bus platform stations for quicker, all door-boarding.
- The Division Street Transit Project also includes:
- Adding 4.5 miles of bike lanes, with physical separation when possible;
- Adding 20 new marked crosswalks with stop lights, median islands or flashing lights;
- Upgrading and adding lighting to existing pedestrian crossing signals; and
- Adding nearly 81,000-square feet of new sidewalks along the corridor.
Proposed 82nd Avenue BRT line
Line 72-82nd/Killingsworth serves the 82nd Avenue corridor, a major north-south arterial that spans the city of Portland and crosses into Clackamas County. It is TriMet’s highest ridership line and provided nearly 84,500 rides a week prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Line 72 connects Northeast Portland, Southeast Portland and Clackamas Town Center and offers frequent service, with buses arriving every 15 minutes or better, most of the day, every day.
The proposed 10-mile BRT line on 82nd Avenue would run between Northeast Killingsworth Street in Portland and Southeast Monterrey Avenue in Happy Valley. If the measure passes, the proposed 82nd Avenue BRT line would include:
- Transit priority signals;
- Business access and transit (BAT) lanes;
- Stations with shelters and real-time arrival information;
- Bus fleet upgrades (TriMet proposes using 60-foot articulated electric buses);
- Queue jump signals and queue bypasses at high-traffic intersections; and
- Companion projects including adding or upgrading sidewalks, bike facilities and pedestrian crossings.
Proposed Tualatin Valley Highway BRT line
TriMet’s Line 57-TV Hwy/Forest Grove is a 17-mile bus line that connects the communities of Beaverton, Aloha, Hillsboro, Cornelius and Forest Grove in Washington County. It also has frequent service, and prior to the pandemic, saw nearly 45,500 trips each week.
If the measure passes, the proposed Tualatin Valley Highway BRT and companion projects would include:
- Transit signal priority;
- Queue jump signals and bypass lanes;
- Business and Transit (BAT) lanes;
- Bus fleet upgrades;
- Stations with shelters and real-time arrival information and bus pullouts; and
- Companion projects including adding or upgrading sidewalks, bike facilities and pedestrian crossings.
Proposed McLoughlin Boulevard BRT line
Line 33-McLoughlin/King Rd connects Clackamas Town Center, Downtown Milwaukie, Gladstone, Oregon City and Clackamas Community College. It is another one of TriMet’s frequent service lines and prior to the pandemic, provided about 31,060 trips each week. Line 33 travels primarily along King Road and McLoughlin Boulevard (OR-99E).
If the measure passes, the proposed McLoughlin Boulevard bus rapid transit and companion transportation projects would include:
- Transit priority signals;
- Business Access and Transit (BAT) lane;
- Bus fleet upgrades (TriMet proposes using 40-foot electric buses);
- Stations with shelters and real-time arrival information; and
- Companion projects including adding or upgrading sidewalks, bike facilities and pedestrian crossings.
Proposed Burnside Street BRT line
TriMet’s Line 20-Burnside/Stark is the longest regular bus route in TriMet’s system, serving a corridor that spans from Beaverton to Gresham. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Line 20 was one of two bus lines offering 24-hour service, with nearly 70,800 trips per week. The proposed BRT project along Burnside would include the following, if the measure passes:
- Transit priority signals;
- Queue bypasses;
- Bus fleet upgrades (TriMet proposes using 60-foot articulated electric buses);
- Stations with shelters and real-time arrival information; and
- Companion projects including upgrading crossings to access transit stops.
