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The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) recently unveiled a proposed $343 million operating budget for fiscal-year 2007, which begins July 1.

The spending plan includes funds to begin constructing the 8.3-mile I-205/Portland Mall MAX light-rail extension and 14.7-mile Washington County commuter-rail line.

The budget also calls for spending $1.4 million in U.S. Department of Homeland Security funds to add closed-circuit television cameras to downtown Portland MAX station platforms; $1 million to begin replacing ticket vending machines on the Eastside MAX line with debit/credit card only machines; and $285,000 to install an ice cap to help prevent ice build-up on overhead light-rail power lines.

TriMet plans to implement a 5-cent fare increase in September and adjust light-rail and bus schedules to better match ridership with service and capacity.

The board is expected to adopt the budget at its June 28 meeting.