MLR and 17th Avenue

Light rail on 17th Ave means widening the street, to function a lot like Interstate Avenue. Tracks and platforms will be in the center, flanked by traffic lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks.

There will be no crossing or left turns except at signalized intersections. New traffic signals will be added at Rhine Street, Center Street, Boise Street (aligning with a new gate to the yard) and Schiller Street. The existing traffic signal at Holgate Boulevard will expand to allow left turns in all directions.
Where the street will widen
Continuing to provide adequate employee parking is a top priority.


Between Powell Boulevard and Rhone Street, the project is purchasing property on the east side of 17th Ave. Between Rhone Street and McLoughlin Boulevard, the right-of-way expands to the west. This alignment "threads the needle" to minimize impacts to the most high-cost buildings. However, it does impact portions of the TriMet employee parking lots. Both parking lots on the west side of 17th will continue to exist, but each will lose about three rows of parking. Continuing to provide adequate employee parking is a top priority, and interdepartmental teams are actively developing strategies to address this need.
Rail and bus together

17th Ave will feature two MAX stations: Rhine (between Rhine Street and Haig Street) and Holgate (between Holgate Boulevard and Mall Street). Lines 17 and 70 will continue to serve 17th Ave, including stops in pullouts at Center Street. Buses returning to the yard will benefit from a traffic signal at Center Street and a relocated fare box drop to minimize delay on 17th Ave.

The region selected the alignment for PMLR following a public process and environmental impact statement led by Metro. 17th Ave. was selected to serve its diverse mix of neighborhood residents and employers, and to create opportunities to enliven this important corridor.
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parking
Avatar Posted by ray harrsch at Jun 21, 2011 11:12 AM
If we lose 3 rows of parking that means we will only have 1 row of parking?

Parking options we are considering
Avatar Posted by Judy Munro at Jun 21, 2011 11:49 AM
Yes, it is true that there is likely to be only one row of parking in the west parking lots that you refer to, but they will be reconfigured to provide as much parking as possible. We will have our designers on board in September and in conjunction with the City’s permitting process, we will have a final design by the spring. However, we are looking for ways to replace the displaced parking. Options we’re considering include use of some properties being acquired by the Portland Milwaukie project, a land swap with Union Pacific Railroad and managed day-time parking in the bus maintenance yard.

Parking
Avatar Posted by gallaghr at Jun 21, 2011 11:12 AM
Why can't you budget to tear down the lots, and build an employee parking structure during this construction project?

Parking at Center Street
Avatar Posted by Judy Munro at Jun 21, 2011 11:52 AM
We assessed that option in the early stages of the project. Unfortunately, a parking garage is not eligible for federal funding and the money would have to come from the general fund. In 2009 it was estimated that cost would be in excess of $11 million, so that option was taken off the table. However, we are looking for ways to replace the displaced parking. Options we are considering include through use of some properties being acquired by the Portland Milwaukie project, through a land swap with Union Pacific Railroad and managed day-time parking in the bus maintenance yard

More bus service?
Avatar Posted by siddallj at Aug 11, 2011 04:30 PM
It looks like employees taking the bus to work will be a viable option for those of us that work off shifts. Will some of the lines that serve 17th (i.e. 17/70/33) be adjusted to run later?

More Bus Service Response
Avatar Posted by Tom Mills at Aug 11, 2011 04:35 PM
Thanks for submitting your question. Lines 17-Holgate/NW 21st Ave., 33-McLoughlin, and 70-12th Ave. will certainly be viable options for employees working off shifts to get to Center St. Garage. However, we are not able to add late night service to these lines due to a lack of funds. It may be possible to adjust some bus schedules slightly, but we also don’t want to interfere with others going to or from work who rely on these lines. Once construction begins, you may want to consult the online trip planner at www.trimet.org to determine the best trip(s) available for you.

Thank you again for your question. Please feel free to contact us via the Moving Together page on TriNet with future questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Tom Mills
Service Planning & Scheduling

parking at center
Avatar Posted by guilesl at Aug 16, 2011 09:36 AM
Are you going to make the new lot a locked lot so the public does not have access? Since there will be such limited space for employees.

Parking
Avatar Posted by Judy Munro at Aug 16, 2011 10:09 AM
We will fence all the lots and put together a plan to ensure parking is only used for TriMet employees. Final planning for access will include Operations Staff and the Safety and Security Department. In addition to the west lots that will be re-done, we are working on two additional lots immediately adjacent to the Center Street Campus. Watch our TriNET page for more information on proposed parking the week of August 22nd.