No decision has yet been made regarding which crossover street to use on the rapid transit leg between Powell and Division streets. In the end the Powell-Division rapid transit alignment is intended to make the two busiest lines in the entire TriMet system—the #9 Powell bus line and the #4 Division bus line—faster and more convenient (“Rapid Transit coming to Division, Powell” MCM March 2015). Dana Lucero of Metro says Metro favors 82nd Avenue as the crossover street, assuming rapid transit’s impact on 82nd Avenue traffic is deemed acceptable. Lucero believes that an 82nd Avenue crossover route would be compatible with Oregon Department of Transportation’s long-term plan to improve 7.3 miles of the street (“82nd Avenue coalition group forms” MCM March 2015). Metro will solicit public input to the crossover routing decision in November, and a decision is expected in January or February 2016.
All meetings are open to the public. The public engagement meeting is set for Monday, Nov. 9; however, a location was not available at press time. Check www.oregonmetro.gov/powelldivision for updates.
For more information, call Dana Lucero at 503-797-1755, or email her at dana.lucero@oregonmetro.gov.
