Metro, TriMet present $300 million TV Highway locally preferred alternative; jurisdictions raise stop and funding concerns

Metro and TriMet on March 17 presented a locally preferred alternative (LPA) for the TV Highway transit project that designers say reduces crashes, improves rider amenities and positions the corridor for federal Small Starts funding.

The LPA, recommended last month by the project steering committee, calls for improved stations with shelters, lighting and curbside platforms; enhanced pedestrian crossings and signals paired with each station; transit-signal priority; all-door boarding with tap readers on every door; and more frequent service (moving from roughly 15-minute headways to about 12 minutes most of the day). Metro and TriMet estimate the corridor currently carries more than 6,000 weekday boardings and has a fatal-crash rate nearly twice the regional average.

“First of all, we're reminded all too often about the safety issues along this corridor,” Metro project manager Kate Hawkins said. The plan reduces the partial pullout stop design and adds station platforms with curbs and waiting areas, she said. TriMet capital planning manager Dave Alwis added: “We are going to make sure that each station pair is coupled with an enhanced crossing or a traffic signal of some sort.”

Why it matters: project leads say the design improves safety for people walking to stops and speeds up buses enough to make transit more competitive with driving; funding and station siting will determine whether the package is viable for federal capital grants. TriMet and Metro staff presented a funding strategy based on a $300,000,000 project cost, a 50 percent match from the Federal Transit Administration's Small Starts program, approximately $100,000,000 in local match from TriMet and corridor jurisdictions, and a $50,000,000 state lottery bond request to fill the gap.

Project components and timeline

Project staff said the LPA is the product of earlier work that reduced an initial $850,000,000 concept to a $550,000,000 design and then to the current $300,000,000 package to improve feasibility and federal competitiveness. The LPA identifies mode, alignment and general station locations; staff said they intend to take the LPA to local councils and county boards for approval, then to the TriMet board, JPAAC and Metro Council and to incorporate it into the Regional Transportation Plan.

TriMet will lead project development (moving design from ~15 percent to higher levels) while Metro leads NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) review. Speakers said construction could begin in 2027 with revenue service opening in 2030 if funds are secured and permitting proceeds on schedule.

Funding and federal strategy

Metro told the committee that the $300,000,000 design is sized to seek a 50 percent federal match through FTA's Small Starts program. To be eligible, Metro and TriMet must identify local commitments (the presentation identified roughly $100,000,000 from TriMet and local partners) and a $50,000,000 state lottery bond request.

“We are able to move forward with project development and advanced design and go through the NEPA process, without those funding streams yet identified,” Hawkins said, describing a strategy of advancing the project to shovel-ready status while continuing to pursue state and federal funding. Staff also said TriMet plans to apply for entry into FTA project development later this summer.

Local concerns about stops and access

Several jurisdiction leaders pressed Metro and TriMet on station location choices and the effect of fewer stops on older and less-mobile riders. Forest Grove Mayor Margaret Wenzel said her city has a single bus line (Line 57) and that losing stops would be difficult for older residents: “It still feels really difficult for my community to lose those stops…we have 15 to 20% of our community 65 or older.” Hawkins responded that community engagement is ongoing and staff will work with Forest Grove residents and leaders on stop locations.

Cornelius Mayor (Dylan) raised similar concerns about Cornelius stop selection and identified the Fred Meyer stop near a planned 300-300 to 500-unit housing development as one that should be reconsidered because it already has a shelter, pullout and a traffic signal. Dave Alwis said stops in Cornelius remain under discussion and staff will work with local officials and community organizations to refine locations.

Safety and rider amenities

Speakers emphasized safety improvements along the corridor: curbside platforms where feasible, eliminating partial pullouts that create conflicts with motorists and cyclists, improved lighting and real-time arrival information. TriMet staff described operational changes such as all-door boarding, three wide doors on vehicles, tap readers on all doors and transit-signal priority to speed service. Alwis said the project would also consider queue jumps and bus-priority lanes in constrained locations.

Public outreach and next steps

Project staff said they will continue public outreach, refine Cornelius stop locations during project development and coordinate funding decisions within municipalities' FY26 budgets. Metro noted that some jurisdictions within the corridor may use Transportation Development Tax or other local funds toward the project. State lottery bond action is tied to the legislative session; staff said they expect to learn more about the state's ability to fund the request toward the end of the session.

What remains unresolved

Committee members repeatedly questioned what happens if the state or federal funding is unavailable. Hawkins and Alwis said staff have discussed contingency approaches, including non-capital alternatives or phased/local approaches, but they emphasized that the steering committee prioritized advancing a federally funded project and that moving design and NEPA forward protects the corridor's readiness for future funding opportunities.

Ending

Metro and TriMet urged continued local engagement as the project moves into project development and NEPA. The LPA will be scheduled for local approvals and TriMet and Metro will pursue FTA project-development entry this summer; sponsors said the corridor's safety and ridership data make it competitive for federal Small Starts funding but that state and local funding commitments remain critical to the project's viability.