CURRENT CONSTRUCTION MAP AND OVERVIEW

The Portland Streetcar Loop Project

The Portland Streetcar Loop Project is a 3.3-mile extension of the existing Portland Streetcar which opened in July of 2001. The Portland Streetcar Loop Project will extend tracks from the Pearl District, across the Broadway Bridge, connecting via Weidler Street to Lloyd Center at NE 7th Avenue, south on MLK Blvd. to OMSI and return north on Grand Avenue to Broadway and the Pearl District. The Loop Project will provide 28 new streetcar stop locations.

Loop Project Map (PDF) Solid Aqua Line = New Loop Project Tracks

The cost estimate for the Loop Project is $148.27 million dollars with $75 million provided by the Federal Government, $15.50 million from a local improvement district, $27.68 from the Portland Development Commission, $3.62 million from regional funds, $6.11 million from SDC/other City funds and $.36 million from stimulus funds. $20 million is from State lottery funds which will pay for 6 streetcars manufactured locally by United Streetcar, LLC, a subsidiary from Oregon Iron Works.

Construction will start in the Summer of 2009 with substantial completion in January of 2012. It is expected Streetcar operations of the Loop will commence in April of 2012. Stacy and Witbeck, Inc. were selected as the Construction Manager/General Contractor for the project. They will construct in 3-4 block segments, completing each segment in about four weeks. Excavation for the track bed will be eight feet wide and 14-18 inches deep. All streets and sidewalks along the alignment will remain open during construction; driveways for the most part will remain open except for temporary construction closures. Two travel lanes and parking will be closed during the 3-4 block construction segments during construction hours Monday through Friday, approx. 7am to 4pm. Evenings and weekends only one lane and the parking lane will be blocked in the construction zone. The contractor will provide "businesses are open" signage in the construction zone. Prior to track work, expect to see water and sewer work as well as other private utilities.

Streetcar Planning Goals:

• Link neighborhoods with a convenient and attractive transportation alternative.
• Fit the scale and traffic patterns of existing neighborhoods.
• Provide quality service to attract new transit ridership.
• Reduce short inner-city auto trips, parking demand, traffic congestion and air pollution.
• Encourage development of more housing and businesses in the Central City.