2 hours ago - Transit

MAX Yellow Line closure disrupts North Portland service

Meira Gebel

Night scene featuring a large neon palm-tree sign with "The Palms" in red script and turquoise "MOTOR HOTEL"; a bus in the foreground, power lines overhead, and bare trees against a dusky blue sky. — North Portland transit commuters take note. Photo: Courtesy of TriMet

The MAX Yellow line between the Rose Quarter and Expo Center is out of service through Saturday as TriMet crews make improvements aimed at preventing future heat-related delays.

State of play: The weeklong disruption, which began Sunday, is part of the transit agency's efforts to make its aging light-rail system more resilient to extreme weather.

Crews will install expansion joints at three sections along the line's North Portland track to prevent "sun kinks," according to a press release, which happen when steel rails expand and buckle under bouts of heat.

The goal is to allow the rails to expand and contract as temperatures fluctuate, reducing the risk of delays and emergency repairs.
TriMet has made similar weatherproofing upgrades along the Blue Line and inside the Robertson Tunnel to keep overhead power wires properly tensioned during extreme heat.

Shuttle buses will replace trains through the Interstate/Rose Quarter and Expo Center stations through Oct. 31. TriMet said buses will arrive every 15 minutes, but advised riders to allow an extra 30 minutes for their trips.

What's next: Regular Yellow line service will resume Sunday, Nov. 1.

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MAX Yellow Line closure disrupts North Portland service

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