INCLINED ELEVATOR SELECTED FOR PORTLAND TRANSIT PROJECT

An inclined elevator that's part of a planned light-rail line in Portland, Oregon, has been approved by Trimet, the regional public transportation agency, the Portland Tribune reports. The line, called Southwest MAX, would serve Southwest Portland and other areas and be used by commuters to the Oregon Health & Science University, which has only limited parking available. However, the nearby station would be below the university, at the bottom of a steep hill. After considering an elevator and pedestrian bridge arrangement, Trimet has settled on the "preliminary recommendation" of an inclined elevator. The plan calls for twin tracks with elevator cars to take users up and down the hill that separates the health facility and Southwest Gibbs Street station on Barbur Boulevard. Several issues have to be worked out, such as who would own the elevator — the city or Trimet — and whether a fee would be charged to use it. Trimet estimates that, by 2035, as many as 10,000 people a day could be using the elevator.