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Oregon Streetcar Systems


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. 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.

Just like a heritage 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 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, and construction of the new 3.3 mile loop finally began in January 2010. 

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Click on the map at left for more information on the system. A more detailed history of the project's development is also available on the history page of the Portland Streetcar website. 

 

 

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Much of the Portland Streetcar route is within Tri-Met's "Fareless Square"

On-board ticket machines sell tickets for travel beyond the Fareless Square.

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 underneath the new aerial tramway that connects to the OHSU campus.
       
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The Sunday "Farmer's Market" brings huge crowds to the Skidmore Fountain area. At left an LRV boards at the station. In the middle scene, a local Jimi Hendrix impersonator attracts attention while an LRV prepares to  depart. At right, the crowd parts as the LRV moves through. Light Rail can be "pedestrian friendly". 

Looking north on SW 10th Street in Downtown Portland. Note how the curb "bumps out" to form the station platform, preserving on-street parking.


New Pictures Added January 2010

       
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The new Transit Mall loops from 6th (one way northbound) to 5th (one way southbound) in front of restored Union Station.

Passing the old interlocking tower adjacent to the station. Note the "Go By Train" neon sign on the station clock tower; this was the inspiration for the "Go By Streetcar" sign at 10th and Northrup.

The new Transit Mall alignments on 5th and 6th are shared by Light Rail and bus, with one lane remaining for automobile traffic. A clever solution to keeping traffic moving was devised by gently curving the track over to the curb lane at station stops, changing back to the middle of the street between stations. Bus stops are provided with bays that keep a stopped bus clear of the tracks and other passing vehicles.

       
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An example of the high-quality Light Rail infrastructure on the mall alignments; modern steel poles used to support the OCS are shrouded with an historic facade, taking care of street lighting at the same time.

The original Light Rail alignments through Downtown utilized salvaged cobblestones for the transit lane. 

An LRV boards at the Pioneer Square stop. 

        
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Portland has some very hilly terrain, and the streetcar climbs its share of grades throughout much of the alignment.

Light Rail, Bus and Streetcar all share a short section of the new transit mall. January 2010.

The Streetcar turns off the transit mall as the Light Rail train departs.

The new streetcar prototype from United Streetcar on display at the maintenance facility. No firm date has been established yet for when it will enter service.

 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.

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

 John Smatlak Photos 9/04


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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. 

       

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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.

 

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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

July 8, 2009-  Portland Streetcar's new vehicle from Oregon Iron Works was unveiled in a July 1 ceremony attended by US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. The Portland Transport blog has additional coverage of the event including a video. The car will now undergo extended on-line testing. 

 

On July 2, the city released a public comment version of the Portland Streetcar System Concept Plan. The plan is a "20 to 50 year long range planning study that will identify transit corridors in the City of Portland with the highest potential for more detailed analysis in the future". "The goal of the SSCP is to identify an interconnected citywide system of streetcar corridors integrated with the City's transportation and land use network. The Portland Streetcar System Concept Plan can play a key role in shaping the City by:

* reinforcing walkable and economically diverse neighborhoods and vibrant main streets
* encouraging sustainable and equitable development and infrastructure
* supporting reduction of vehicle trips
* supporting greater accessibility, housing options, employment, and economic development"

 

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The well-attended ceremony Secretary LaHood (L) and Congressman Blumenauer.  The unveiling. Photo from Portland Transport Blog The new car on the tracks. "Made in USA". Eric Sitiko photo

November 5, 2009-  Federal officials recently made the official dedication of $75M in funding for the Portland Streetcar's new Eastside Extension. Oregon Live.com carried a good article on this and other news concerning the other elements of Portland's growing streetcar network. The official Metro page covering the project is here, and contains copies of the various assessment documents relating to the project. Meanwhile work continues to get the new streetcar vehicle from Oregon Ironworks in service. 


February 4, 2010-  Track construction for Portland Streetcar's new Eastside Extension is officially underway! This blog entery on Oregon Live has more info.

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Track construction on Grand ave. Judie Miller photos

 


 

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 2/4/10


 

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