TriMet calls for light-rail extensions, new light-rail vehicles

TriMet's proposed fiscal-year 2026 budget of $1.9 billion calls for extending light-rail and streetcar lines, and the procurement of new light-rail vehicles.

The Portland, Oregon transit agency's capital improvement program (CIP) budget of $221.1 million allocates $66.1 million for new light-rail vehicles to replace ones purchased over 40 years ago. The new vehicles will be delivered throughout FY2026, TriMet officials said.

Additionally, the CIP calls for an expansion of Portland's North/South streetcar line to Montgomery Park. TriMet will provide project oversight for the city.

The proposed CIP also calls for replacing the aging Interstate Highway 5 bridge. The new bridge would support multimodal transportation, including the light-rail Yellow Line. The project calls for extending the rail line 2 miles into downtown Vancouver and adding three new stations. This project also calls for the procurement of 19 new vehicles.

Non-CIP priorities include improving staffing and state of good repair investments, TriMet officials said.

The fiscal year runs July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Operating requirements are budgeted at $900.3 million. The budget proposes $95.7 million in operating revenue, $550.2 million in tax revenue and $146.3 million in federal funding, TriMet officials said in a press release.