TriMet gears up for light-rail improvements in downtown Portland

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) next month will perform improvements on its MAX light-rail tracks, switches and equipment in downtown Portland.

The work is aimed at making passengers' ride smoother and boosting on-time performance, TriMet officials said in a service alert.

The agency will carry out the improvements from May 8 through May 21. During that time, crews will install four switches and replace material under and alongside tracks with updated, longer-lasting materials, TriMet officials said.

The project also calls for improving drainage under the Morrison Bridge and replacing eastbound curved rail between the Skidmore Fountain and Oak/SW 1st Avenue stations.

The work is part of one of several major projects scheduled for 2016 and 2017 aimed at making the MAX light-rail system more reliable, agency officials said.