Portland — Lake Oswego Streetcar

Rail Transit Online, February 2004

A preliminary internal study just released by TriMet shows streetcars, rather than light rail, would be the best transit solution to connect Portland with nearby Lake Oswego.  The project could be completed for about $70 million, according to the study, utilizing an existing 5.6 mi. (9 km) former railroad right-of-way along the Willamette River's western bank between Southwest Bancroft Street and the center of Lake Oswego.  The cost estimate includes the purchase of four new streetcars.  The Willamette Shore Trolley already operates on the line with vintage streetcars using a towed generator.  The 10-station route would connect with a proposed extension of the Portland Streetcar into the North Macadam Urban Renewal Area.  “A number of us have gotten very excited about using this alignment for a streetcar line,” TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen told The Oregonian.  A trip from downtown Portland would take about 25 min. and cars would run on a 12-min. headway during rush hours.  The ROW is already publicly owned and infrastructure is in generally good condition.  A more detailed $300,000 analysis is scheduled to get underway this fall.  The line was once electrified and, until service stopped in 1929, saw an intense passenger service operated by Southern Pacific.