Someone's going to ride the Orange Line.
They better.
The thing cost nearly $1.5 billion. TriMet even raised a magnificent Willamette River bridge as part of the 7.3-mile light-rail line snaking from Milwaukie to Portland State University.
In reality, many of the new MAX line's future riders don't even live along the corridor yet. TriMet, with the help of Metro planners, have spent the past three years building for the future of mass transit. The expectation is that regular trains stopping at new stations will inspire a milk-and-honey era of residential and commercial growth along the rails.
Certainly, MAX has been a catalyst for development.
"We've seen more than $10 billion in development within walking distance of MAX stations since 1980," said Mary Fetsch, a TriMet spokeswoman. "Based on how all of the other areas around the MAX system have developed, we know that it attracts more jobs, residences and development."
Of course, that's not to say there aren't reasons for current commuters to get excited about the region's fifth MAX line from Day One.
"I'm taking it as soon as I can," said Ariane Le Chevallier, an Oregon Health & Science University employee whose current 45-minute-to-hour-long commute from West Moreland involves two bus transfers. "The commute will be a little more consistent time-wise. I won't be up against traffic."
Le Chevallier, who will jump on the Portland Aerial Tram on the west end of the Tilikum Crossing, should be able to get to work in about 30 minutes.
Almost immediately, the Orange Line will change commuting in and out of Southeast Portland's fast-growing neighborhoods and Clackamas County.
Here's how:
Speed
As Le Chevallier mentioned, commuting via TriMet in and out of downtown Portland will be noticeably faster.
We're not talking bullet-train speeds, but the estimated time between Milwaukie's Park Avenue station to Portland's South Waterfront will be 16 minutes. Not too shabby.
To PSU: 20 minutes. To Pioneer Courthouse Square: 26 minutes.
"There's only 10 stations, so the trains don't have to stop a lot," said Dave Unsworth, deputy director of the Orange Line project.
Among the many reasons bus commuters in the corridor should consider switching to MAX: "No more waiting for bridge lifts," Unsworth said.
Ah, playing the bridgelift card.
Of course, TriMet's No. 9 and 17 buses will switch to the lift-less, car-free Tilikum Crossing, where it should be smooth sailing for riders.
Destination Milwaukie
There's something special happening in the suburb of 20,000 people six miles south of downtown Portland.
Milwaukie is getting younger, more affluent and, dare we say it, cooler. But despite the presence of Dark Horse Comics, Bob's Red Mill, Zoe Outfitters, farmers markets, a revived downtown and Riverfront Park's awesome Willamette River boat launch, the city has been left out of the region's mass transit expansion. Until now.
City officials say the Orange Line will provide a quick, uncongested shot from the bustling big city into a community with more of an Andy-in-Mayberry vibe. Stay for a few hours. Or stay for the weekend.
"It's really vastly different than Portland. It's even different than Sellwood," said Grady Wheeler, a City Hall spokesman. "It really does have its own ethos."
Drive
So you're not keen on taking public transit. Fine.
Would you like to thank the Orange Line now or later for lowering your commuting blood pressure?
First and foremost, it will take buses off the Ross Island Bridge. (Just remember to wave at the big people movers as they cross the Tilikum to the north.) Meanwhile, several new bike paths along the river should mean fewer close calls with cyclists on the streets.
"It's better for all commuters," Unsworth said.
Yes, here's to your (commuting) health.
Also, as the region grows, with up to 400,000 new residents in the next 20 years, that travel time by bus will continue to grow, even as the Orange Line travel time will remain constant, TriMet officials said.
-- Joseph Rose
503-221-8029
jrose@oregonian.com
@josephjrose