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trimetbusmall, originally uploaded by russ.

TriMet is trying to determine where to relocate their downtown Bus Mall.

Now on 5th and 6th Avenues, the Bus Mall will have to be relocated to make room for light rail construction set to begin next January and lasting up ’til spring 2009.

“Traffic analysis shows that no single pair of streets could handle all the buses currently on 5th and 6th avenues,” the agency says on their website. “TriMet developed plans with an array of options for riders with downtown destinations.”

There are two options.

Option 1 would move 21 out of 31 relocated bus lines over a couple of blocks onto 3rd and 4th Avenues. The other 10 lines would run East-West on Columbia and Jefferson Streets.

Option 2 would move 15 lines to the 3rd-4th Avenue north-south couplet, 6 lines over to a new 10th-11th Avenue north-south couplet, and duplicate Option 1’s 10-line Columbia/Jefferson configuration.

I think Option 1 is the better idea, because it keeps the brunt of relocated service closer to where it is now. IMHO that minimizes the inevitable confusion. Plus, forcing bus riders to either find another way over to 10th/11th or even hoofing it could create extra hardships for some. I’m not only talking about walking six blocks- maybe even in the rain (which will surely be in season when construction starts) When you get to about 10th and 11th, elevation begins to slowly rise toward the West Hills.

But what do you think?

TriMet will hold a series of Transit Investment Plan (TIP) Open Houses in March. Here’s the link.

But you don’t have to wait up until then. You can:

Email busplan@trimet.org;
Call TriMet at 503-238-RIDE;
snd a TTY message to 503-238-5811, Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; OR
Send a fax to 503-962-2481.

Related posts:

1. TriMet changes imminent: are you ready?
2. It’s The End Of The Bus Mall As We Know It: Do You Feel Fine?
3. Portlandmall.org - It’s about… the Portland Mall
4. This is what a closed bus mall looks like
5. Someone’s Moving My Rocks