Portland — Streetcar Extension

Rail Transit Online, September 2003

A ceremonial groundbreaking for a 0.6-mi. (1 km) extension of the highly successful Portland Streetcar was held at a downtown hotel on Aug. 4.  The $18.2-million project will run from the current terminal at Portland State University along Harrison Street to the South Waterfront district.  Construction will be done in three-block segments starting with utility relocation in late September or early October, and the line should be open by early 2005.  The expansion is being financed by a combination of public and private sources.  At the groundbreaking, Mayor Vera Katz said she expects the streetcar to spur economic development and create jobs.  City officials are seeking funding for yet another 0.6-mi. streetcar extension that would take the tracks to Southwest Gibbs Street at a cost of about $18 million.