The final piece of the new Portland Mall MAX track was installed on May 9, marking a big completed milestone for the Portland Mall Light Rail Project. With this being done, here are the numbers for the overall project:

• All 57 blocks along the Portland Mall now have track installed, totaling 13,000 linear feet (nearly 2.5 miles).
• Completion of all major light rail construction along 6th Avenue is expected by mid-June.
• Major construction of the Portland Mall is 90 percent complete and the overall project is 66 percent complete.

Though, I’m wondering - I see a lot of overhanging wires and such at the new mall location being tied around trees… is this permanent? I hope not…

Just a heads up - if anyone is planning on taking the MAX downtown on the morning of Sunday, May 18 from the beginning of MAX service til 10:00am, you should schedule some extra time. TriMet is installing new overheard wire for the Portland Mall Light Rail Project and will be shuttling riders on buses between the Rose Quarter Transit Center & PGE Park.

Again, this installation period is going on Sunday morning on the 18th of May from the beginning of service til 10 am.

*Edit 10:34 - Service is now back to its regular schedule

Want to hear first-hand about TriMet’s plans on the I-205 / Portland Mall Light Rail & WES (Westside Express Service) Commuter Rail projects? Well, this month’s your lucky… month because TriMet is having a couple of open house meetings for us, the public, to attend.

Monday, May 19, 2008, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Portland Mall Information Center
519 SW 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204

Monday, May 19, 2008, 4-7 p.m.
Public Works Building, Richard Brown Auditorium
8777 SW Burnham St.
Tigard, OR 97223

Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 4-7 p.m.
OIT Conference Center
7740 SE Harmony Rd.
Milwaukie, OR 97222

More info about these meetings and, if you can’t attend but wish to get the lowdown on what went down, you can view the resources that will be at the meetings online right here.