Oregon Streetcar Systems by John Smatlak

Oregon Streetcar Systems

Cities:

Astoria

Portland

Portland

Portland Streetcar

Began Operation: 2001

Miles of Line: 3.6 (7.2 one-way loop)

Stations: 42

Org: Transit Agency + Non-Profit

Schedule: Daily

Photo: John Smatlak

Opening in July 2001, the Portland Streetcar heralded the arrival of the Modern Streetcar to the United States. Just like a Vintage Trolley system, a Modern Streetcar utilizes low-impact construction techniques and in-street running to deliver effective urban circulation that's attractive to riders. The difference of course is in the vehicles themselves. In Portland's case, an off-the-shelf European streetcar design was utilized, providing a modern, air-conditioned vehicle with level boarding.

The system has been extended three times since its opening, and now provides daily service along a 3.6 mile route. The majority of the line runs along pairs of one-way streets, separated by one or two blocks. Total one-way mileage for the complete loop is 7.2. Much of the line operates within TriMet's "fareless square" zone in the downtown area, so most trips are actually free to riders.

The system is operated by the non-profit "Portland Streetcar Inc.", with service delivery contracted to local transit provider Tri-Met, who also operates the region's extensive light rail system. The streetcar is seen as "a unique public/private strategy to link investment in high quality transit service with major development". A January 2006 report by PSI entitled "Development Orientated Transit" notes that since 1997, more than 2.28 Billion dollars has been invested within two blocks of the streetcar alignment. As of late 2008, the system was carrying 4.3 million riders annually.

The next system extension will extend service from the Pearl District in NW Portland, across the existing Broadway Bridge, serving the eastern half of the Portland Central City. Click here for a pdf fact sheet from the Portland Streetcar website. In May of 2009, it was announced that $75M in federal funding had been obtained towards the $127M project, with construction of the new 3.3 mile loop expected to begin in late 2009.

A more detailed history of the project's development is available on the history page of the Portland Streetcar website.

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Portland Streetcar- Portland State University area

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More scenes Downtown

On NW Lovejoy

Entering SW Harrison

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Turning onto NW Northrup Street in the Pearl District. The Pearl was created from a large area of abandoned rail yards.

The "Go By Streetcar" sign evokes the spirit of the historic "Go By Train" sign on nearby Union Station

Aerial view of a typical station.

Passing by yet another construction site on NW Lovejoy in the Pearl District.

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Light Rail and Portland Streetcar in historic downtown Portland

John Smatlak Photos

News / Updates (scroll down for latest updates):

Update 7/27/01- The new Portland Streetcar began operation on July 20. The project features all street-running track, and made extensive use of minimal impact "shallow slab" construction. Details on the track construction technique are available from an interesting article on the Gomaco World web site.

Update 12/3/03- The development along the route of the Portland Streetcar is truly phenomenal- major changes were evident since my last visit two years previous. The system is also being extended once again. The September issue of Rail Transit Online provided this report:

A ceremonial groundbreaking for a 0.6-mi. (1 km) extension of the highly successful Portland Streetcar was held at a downtown hotel on Aug. 4. The $18.2-million project will run from the current terminal at Portland State University along Harrison Street to the South Waterfront district. Construction will be done in three-block segments starting with utility relocation in late September or early October, and the line should be open by early 2005. The expansion is being financed by a combination of public and private sources. At the groundbreaking, Mayor Vera Katz said she expects the streetcar to spur economic development and create jobs. City officials are seeking funding for yet another 0.6-mi. streetcar extension that would take the tracks to Southwest Gibbs Street at a cost of about $18 million. Source- Rail Transit Online

9/28/04- Construction is well along on the Portland Streetcar RiverPlace extension. Scheduled to open in March 2005, the extension will connect the PSU campus with RiverPlace on the banks of the Willamette River. A visit in mid-September found tracks in place over most of the extension. Approaching RiverPlace, the new line crosses the former end of the Willamette Shore Trolley operation, and will ultimately be extended a short distance more to provide a connection to an aerial tramway being built to serve the OHSU campus on Marquam Hill. Two additional Skoda streetcars have been purchased to cover additional service requirements.


Streetcar extension 9/04	Good cross-section of the shallow-slab track construction	Streetcar extension 9/04

John Smatlak Photos 9/04

6/26/06- Opening day ceremonies for the Portland Streetcar South Waterfront Extension are scheduled for October 6, 2006. This latest extension advances the line another .6 of a mile beyond the the previous Riverplace extension (which opened in March 2005). The latest extension will provide a convenient connection to the Portland Aerial Tram being built to serve the OHSU campus on Marquam Hill.

Three additional Skoda streetcars are expected to begin arriving in Portland in September 2006. Click here for a link to the Portland Transport blog and photos of the three cars under construction.

Portland So Wft Ext grand opening.jpg (145520 bytes)

11/23/06- Service began October 20 on the new Portland Streetcar South Waterfront Extension to SW Moody and Gibbs. Photos of the event can be found on the Portland Transport Blog. Construction continues on the adjacent Portland Aerial Tram, which will provide a connection to the OHSU campus.

Construction also continues on the Lowell Extension of the Portland Streetcar, with service anticipated to begin in the summer of 2007.

September 2007- the latest extension of the Portland Streetcar opened on August 8. The new Lowell Extension provides a loop through the South Waterfront district and brings the one-way length of the streetcar line to 7.2 miles. Details about the grand opening are available on the Portland Transport blog. The photos below are from my July 27 visit to Portland to attend the Streetcar Workshop presented by Reconnecting America.

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Aerial tram passes over a streetcar at the SW Moddy & Gibbs station.

The view of the South Waterfront from the tram.

Looking down on the streetcar station below.

View south on Moody Avenue from Whitaker, showing the new rail alignment.

John Smatlak Photos

May 2009- $75M in federal funding has been obtained for the latest extension of the Portland Streetcar. The new 3.3 mile streetcar loop is a $127M project, and will extend service from the Pearl District in NW Portland, across the existing Broadway Bridge, serving the eastern half of the Portland Central City. Click here for a pdf fact sheet from the Portland Streetcar website. Click here for a news article on the funding in The Bee.

The Bee is also reporting that the first modern streetcar produced in the U.S. under license from the Czech firm Skoda is due to be delivered to Portland Streetcar sometime this summer by United Streetcar LLC, a subsidiary of Oregon Iron Works. The article also reports that United Streetcar anticipates an order for six additional cars for the new Eastside Streetcar Loop. Click here for the Bee article.

May 27, 2009- In late May Portland Streetcar took delivery of the prototype streetcar vehicle from United Streetcar LLC. The car is currently undergoing testing. Some photos of the new car appear below. A video of the unloading was also posted on the Portland Transport blog.


The new car arrives. Eric Sitiko photo	Moving into position for unloading. Photo from Portland Transport Blog	Unloading. Eric Sitiko photo	The new car on the tracks. Eric Sitiko photo

Links

Portland Streetcar Official Site

Portland Transport Blog

Peter's Pix- Portland Streetcar page

Portland page on the APTA Heritage Trolley site

This page was last updated on 5/27/09