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| MAX Yellow Line | |
|---|---|
| Name | MAX Yellow Line |
| Type | Light rail |
| System | Transit |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Portland, Oregon |
| Start | North Portland Transit Center |
| End | Expo Center |
| Stations | 17 |
| Opened | 2004 |
| Owner | TriMet |
| Operator | TriMet |
| Line length | 5.8 miles |
| Electrification | Overhead catenary |
MAX Yellow Line The Yellow Line is a light rail service in Portland, Oregon, connecting North Portland with the Expo Center and linking with other MAX services. It forms part of the Metropolitan Area Express network operated by TriMet and integrates with the Interstate Avenue corridor, serving transit centers, parks, and industrial districts.
The Yellow Line operates within Portland, Oregon, part of the Portland metropolitan area transit network managed by TriMet and connects to the MAX Light Rail system including the Blue Line, Red Line (MAX), Green Line (MAX), and Orange Line. The alignment serves neighborhoods such as North Portland, the Pearl District, and the area adjacent to the Willamette River, and interfaces with facilities like the Port of Portland, Portland International Raceway, and the Oregon Convention Center.
The line runs from the north terminus at the Expo Center southbound along the Interstate Avenue corridor, passing through stops at locations adjacent to Albina Yard, Union Station (Portland), and interchanges near the Rose Quarter. Key stations include the North Lombard Transit Center, North Killingsworth Station, and connections to the Yellow Line's transfers with the Pearl District's NW 13th & Glisan Station area and the Lloyd Center. The route interfaces with major crossings over the Willamette River via nearby MAX bridges and connects riders to cultural sites such as the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and Memorial Coliseum.
Planning for the corridor originated from studies by TriMet and regional bodies including the Portland Development Commission and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (Portland Metro), following precedents set by the earlier Blue Line (MAX) and Red Line (MAX) projects. Funding and environmental review involved agencies such as the Federal Transit Administration and coordination with the Oregon Department of Transportation. The project drew on prior corridors like the Interstate Avenue Trolley proposals and was influenced by urban renewal initiatives in Albina and the Pearl District. Construction in the early 2000s included stakeholders such as the Port of Portland, neighborhood associations, and business improvement districts.
Service is scheduled and operated by TriMet crews using dispatch and control systems similar to those on the Blue Line (MAX). Daily operations connect with transit hubs like the Gateway Transit Center and synchronize with TriMet bus routes, facilitating access to regional destinations including Portland International Airport via transfers to the Red Line (MAX). Ridership patterns reflect commuter flows to employment centers such as the Central Business District (Portland) and event-driven spikes for venues like the Moda Center (formerly Rose Garden Arena). Peak and off-peak service frequencies are coordinated with the Portland Bureau of Transportation and regional travel demand management plans developed by Metro (Oregon regional government).
The line uses light rail vehicles from manufacturers engaged by TriMet, including models similar to the Siemens S70 and earlier Bombardier variants used across the MAX network. Infrastructure encompasses double-track alignments, overhead catenary systems, traction power substations, and signaling interoperable with other MAX lines. Maintenance is performed at facilities such as the Hollywood Transit Center and rail yards like Harrison Street Yard, with parts procurement coordinated through contracts with suppliers and oversight by agencies including the Federal Railroad Administration where applicable.
Safety protocols are administered by TriMet Police and coordinated with the Portland Police Bureau and Multnomah County emergency services. Incidents on the corridor have prompted reviews by the National Transportation Safety Board and municipal authorities; these reviews have addressed grade-crossing policies, operator training, and platform safety upgrades near high-traffic stations. Community safety partnerships have involved organizations such as the Portland Business Alliance and neighborhood associations in North Portland.
Future planning considers service enhancements in coordination with Metro (Oregon regional government), TriMet capital programs, and potential federal discretionary grants administered by the Federal Transit Administration. Proposed improvements include station accessibility upgrades complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, signaling modernization, vehicle fleet replacement, and better integration with regional strategies promoted by the Portland Bureau of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Transportation. Long-range concepts link to broader transit proposals including extensions studied in regional plans by Metro (Oregon regional government), local transportation districts, and stakeholders like the Port of Portland.