Portland City Council considers $120 million Streetcar expansion to Montgomery Park

PORTLAND, Ore. ( ) – Portland City Council is considering a project to revamp transportation in the growing Montgomery Park area with an expanded streetcar service.

Montgomery Park Area Transportation Plan , would extend Portland Streetcar tracks in the area and is part of the broader Montgomery Park Area Plan , which aims to create a mixed-use, transit-oriented neighborhood west of Highway 30 between NW Vaughn and NW Nicolai streets.

The plan would expand the Streetcar's north/south line from Legacy Good Samaritan to Montgomery Park along NW 23rd Ave. to NW Roosevelt and NW Wilson streets.

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Positively Portland According to the Portland Bureau of Transportation, the streetcar stops in the area would include north and southbound lines at NW 23rd and Raleigh, a stop at NW 25th and Roosevelt, along with a stop at NW 26th and Wilson. The project would also revamp the existing stop on NW 23rd.

During Wednesday's City Council meeting, PBOT said the transit plan is projected to cost $120 million, using a mix of anticipated private and public funds to pay for the project. The total cost includes the right-of-way being dedicated by property owners for new streets on NW Wilson and Roosevelt, along with vehicle procurement.

The extended streetcar line is projected to serve over 3,000 new daily riders — adding to the already 5,500-plus daily riders, according to PBOT.

The recommended draft plan claims that the transportation project comes "at a critical moment in the area's evolution" as the city expects more private development in the area, which may include additional housing and re-development of the former EDCO steel foundry site.

The transportation upgrade also comes as the area is not expected to withstand the anticipated growth in the area, according to the draft plan.

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"Over the next 20 years, the broader Montgomery Park Area study area is expected to grow by up to 14,000 new households and 1,500 new jobs. Within the core project area, more than 2,000 new households and hundreds of new jobs could be accommodated. The existing transportation network would be unable to support this future growth if residents, workers, and visitors travel by driving alone," the October draft states.

According to the plan, the streetcar was chosen for the area because of its ability to support the densest development for the area, and offer more capacity compared to other public transit options and draw high ridership.

After Portland City Council discussed the project on Wednesday, the Montogomery Park Area Plan will be up for a vote with amendments on Dec. 4.