TriMet outlines $343–354 million plan for 82nd Avenue bus rapid transit, seeks federal support

TriMet officials on Feb. 5 briefed Clackamas County’s C4 committee on the 82nd Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (FX) project, describing a roughly 10‑mile corridor with 68 station locations (about 15 of them within Clackamas County), a multi‑year design and delivery timeline and a funding package that TriMet officials say positions the project for federal capital investment.

Jesse Stemler, TriMet’s interim project director for the 82nd Avenue project, said the corridor will connect Clackamas Town Center in the south to the Cully neighborhood in the north, include near‑level platforms, shelters, seating and real‑time arrival information at every station, and use transit tools such as signal priority, in‑lane stops and targeted stop balancing to speed service. "Line 72 is TriMet's highest ridership bus line," Stemler said, adding that the current peak‑and‑all‑week demand makes the corridor "a lifeline for the community" that depends on transit for jobs, medical care and school.

TriMet told the committee it is in 60% design and expects to complete final design in 2027, begin construction after that and open the line in summer 2029. A preliminary cost range cited in the presentation was about $343 million to $354 million (30% contingency per FTA guidance was noted). TriMet said it is seeking roughly $150 million from the Federal Transit Administration and described local and grant contributions that support the capital plan, including a $24 million Low‑No grant (for hydrogen fuel‑cell buses and associated infrastructure) and a $50 million Portland Clean Energy Fund award.

On operations and vehicles, TriMet said the FX service will run high‑capacity, 60‑foot articulated buses with three‑door boarding and near‑level boarding to speed dwell times. Stemler said the Low‑No award funds vehicles and workforce/training elements; TriMet expects a notice to proceed on bus procurement in February or March.

Committee members asked detailed questions about funding commitments, contingency and construction impacts for businesses. Mayor Joe Buck and others pressed TriMet on how the agency will work with property owners and small businesses during construction; TriMet described an early‑contractor engagement approach (construction manager/general contractor involved during design) and business‑focused outreach to minimize disruption.

Several members raised concerns about so‑called BAT (Business Access and Transit) lanes, a configuration that can reduce travel lanes to make room for transit lanes. Concerned about freight and cut‑through traffic, one speaker warned that removing a travel lane in each direction could push trucks and cars into neighborhood streets; TriMet said no final decision has been made and that BAT lanes are one tool in the project toolbox that will be further defined through design, traffic analysis and partner coordination.

TriMet emphasized safety investments coordinated with the City of Portland and ODOT — including ADA curb ramps, crosswalks, improved lighting and medians — and noted the corridor’s history as a high‑crash area where improved pedestrian access and station infrastructure can reduce risks. TriMet also noted plans for CCTV at platforms, standardized lighting and amenities such as leaning rails and bike racks.

Next steps: TriMet will continue 60% design work this spring, finalize cost estimating at additional design milestones, proceed with bus procurement and continue coordination with regional partners and the FTA as it pursues federal capital funding and final design milestones.