TriMet begins renovation of Washington Park light-rail station

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) this week started renovating its Washington Park MAX light-rail station in Portland.

Crews yesterday began demolition work to improve the station's east elevator lobby, TriMet officials said in a press release. In mid-June, the area will reopen and work will begin on the opposite lobby.

The larger renovation project also includes deep cleaning, adding graphic wall coverings and installing new LED lighting.

In addition, the curved track walls across from the platforms will be pressure washed to remove residue from nearly two decades of light-rail operation. The walls then will be covered with a high-durability vinyl mural illustrating Washington Park.

The renovation will be the Washington Park Station's "most thorough overhaul since it opened in 1998," TriMet officials said.

The project is part of TriMet's reinvestment in the MAX light-rail system. By April 30, the agency will kick off the Morrison-Yamhill track improvement project in downtown Portland.