MAX Red line extension opens

TriMet celebrated the opening of the MAX Red Line extension into Hillsboro marking the conclusion of TriMet's biggest light rail project in nearly a decade. The project was completed on time and on budget. 

 

The Federal Transit Adminitration (FTA) joined in the celebrations as the final piece of the 'A Better Red' project - a three year project which aimed to increase the line's reliability as well as provide links to other MAX stations.  

 

The FTA had covered a substantial portion of the USD215M budget for the project thanks to their Small Starts grant which contributed USD99.9M. Finance was also provided from Oregon Metro and the Port of Portland. 

 

“Smart transit infrastructure does more than reduce traffic congestion; it drives economic growth by making our region more attractive for investment,” said Westside Economic Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Mazzara Myers. “By investing in projects like A Better Red, TriMet, the Federal Transit Administration and the jurisdictional partners are not just placing track and adding stops—they are laying the groundwork for economic prosperity, community resilience and long-term sustainability.” 

 

“A Better Red demonstrates and fulfills our collective regional commitment to providing reliable, convenient access to jobs, homes, recreation and services,” said Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fia. “It also supports our regional commitment to climate-friendly initiatives by allowing more people to reach their destinations without cars."