MAX Orange Line opens in Oregon

A light rail line linking Portland and Milwaukie, which features some technological firsts for the US, has opened in Oregon.

Also known as the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project, the new line has included the construction of a new cable-stayed bridge over the Willamette River.

Members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde led the very first train across the bridge, which has been named Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People.

The 12-kilometre light rail line connects Downtown Portland and north Clackamas County, adding 10 new stations to the MAX network.

The line features several high-tech sustainable solutions that are new to the US, including a regenerative energy storage system supplied by Siemens and vegetated ‘eco track’.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has provided 50 per cent of the line’s $1.49 billion cost.

Congressman Kurt Schrader said: “The completion of the Orange Line will ease commutes for thousands of Oregonians, reduce congestion on our highways and spur immense economic growth throughout the entire area.”