May 9, 2008

Milestone: Track Installation Complete

Crews install the final 60-foot strand of light rail
track on the Portland Mall.

The Portland Mall Light Rail Project completed a major construction milestone on May 9, 2008, when crews installed the final piece of rail along the Portland Mall.

A 60-foot strand of rail weighing about 2,000 pounds was installed on SW 6th Avenue between SW Columbia and Jefferson streets, completing new light rail track on 5th and 6th avenues between Union Station and Portland State University.

Here is the status of the Portland Mall Light Rail Project as of the last rail installation:

• All 57 blocks along the Portland Mall now have track installed, totaling 13,000 linear feet (nearly 2.5 miles).
• Completion of all major light rail construction along 6th Avenue is expected by mid-June.
• Major construction of the Portland Mall is 90 percent complete and the overall project is 66 percent complete.