MAX train riders should brace for major delays over the next two weeks as maintenance crews rip up and replace 500-feet of old track in Portland’s Lloyd district.
TriMet, the transportation agency in the Portland metro area, will break ground on the project Sunday. Workers will be inserting more reliable rail and track switches, which the agency says will make for a smoother, timelier journey.
During the project, riders can expect two weeks of delays and service changes. TriMet’s recommending riders budget an extra 30-45 minutes into their commute.
Related: TriMet To Close 3 Downtown Portland Stops Next Year
Big disruptions are coming to the blue, green and red lines with no trains running between North Interstate and Lloyd Center/NE 11th Ave Station. The Rose Quarter MAX station, Convention center station and NE 7th Ave station will shut down during the project.
And fewer cars will run system wide. Orange and yellow line riders will see the most extreme wait times with trains running every 20 minutes.
TriMet’s warned these disruptions could mean an ugly rush hour for all MAX riders.
“You may not be able to get on the first train that comes, especially during those peak hours” said TriMet spokesperson Roberta Altstadt. “So we are asking folks if they can consider riding outside of those peak periods. If you can go to work a little earlier or a little later, that'd be great.”
Or, if you’d prefer to forgo the train altogether, the agency is offering shuttle buses from the Lloyd station that will depart every 3-5 minutes. Another bus will run between Kenton/N Denver Ave and the airport every 10 minutes.
More details on service changes can be found here.