Portland « The Transport Politic

Portland Studies Streetcar Expansion Citywide

July 3rd, 2009 |

First phase of new routes would concentrate on improving downtown mobility; second phase would extend across the city.

This week, Portland released its draft Streetcar System Concept Plan, which will be under public debate until mid-August; it attempts to define the city’s streetcar investments over the next fifty years (h/t Portland Transport). In all, the proposal argues for eleven new lines operating in downtown and near Gateway Transit Center for the project’s first phase, with a total 73 miles of streetcar investments in the long-term. Though the majority of these segments have yet to be funded, Portland’s proactive and

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Portland Eastside Streetcar Extension to Get Federal Funds

April 30th, 2009 |

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You’ve got to give me some credit for guessing this eleven whole days ago: Portland’s Eastside Streetcar Loop will get federal funds.

The 3.3-mile project, which will cost a total of $127 million, will get $75 million from the federal government. The project will be in operation in 2011. As I wrote in my previous post, this demonstrates the Obama Administration’s interest in promoting streetcar projects and developing mobility solutions that produce livable, attractive cities.

Sorry, not much else to say, just wanted

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LaHood Implies Portland Streetcar Loop Will Receive Stimulus Funds, Points to City as Model

April 19th, 2009 |

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Construction-ready project heralds new federal government interest in promoting streetcar service

Portland’s downtown streetcar has become a model for using transit to encourage dense development in the inner areas of an American city. Recently, the city has begun planning for the extension of the service across the Willamette River to the east side of the city, allowing streetcars to make a full loop around the city center. The total 3.3-mile project cost is $147 million, $75 million of which are expected from the federal government. Construction would begin later this year and open for service in Fall 2011.

At a press conference last

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Portland's Seemingly Never-Ending Light Rail Program Keeps Growing

April 2nd, 2009 |

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Portland-Milwaukie light rail approved to begin preliminary engineering

The Oregonian reports that Portland’s next light rail line – to be its fifth – has been approved for preliminary engineering by the Federal Transit Administration. The Portland-Milwaukie Line (Orange Line) will run north-south between the two cities. The approval does not guarantee essential New Start federal funding for the line, but it does promise federal money for planning and a likely future contract. The line has received $250 million thus far from the state legislature, which combined with expected federal money and local tax revenues, will cover the cost of the line. However,

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