TriMet mulls closing four light-rail stations

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) is contemplating closing four downtown Portland MAX light-rail stations to help improve the flow of trains through the area.

The agency picked the four stations based on low ridership and proximity to other MAX stops. Each station is less than a quarter mile from another light-rail station, according to a TriMet press release.

The stations being considered for closure are the Kings Hill/SW Salmon Street, Mall/SW 4th Avenue, Mall/SW 5th Avenue and Skidmore Foundation stations.

Shuttering the stations would shave two minutes off the trip between the Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson St and Old/Town Chinatown stops, which bookend the four stations.

TriMet conducted a Title VI equity review of the proposal to close the stations and found there would be "no adverse impact on minority or low-income populations" due to their proximity to nearby stations. The closure also wouldn't have an impact on riders with mobility issues, according to the agency's review.

If approved by TriMet's board, the stations would close Sept. 1, 2019.