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The Montgomery Park Streetcar Extension, also known as the Montgomery Park Transit Project, will extend the streetcar to Montgomery Park in Northwest Portland and includes rehabilitation of NW 23rd Avenue between NW Vaughn and Northrup streets.
What's happening now?
Upcoming Geotechnical Work
The week of October 5th, workers will be conducting geotechnical borings along the project extents. Expect some localized noise and vibration. The geotechnical work gives the engineering team the data they need to design the new streets and streetcar track bed to be a long-lasting, durable product.
Design and Vehicle Contracts
In May 2026, the City of Portland issued a Notice to Proceed (NTP) to design consultant HDR. With the support of David Evans & Associates, HDR will be leading design, engineering, and environmental review for the project. HDR is a global professional services firm in engineering, architecture, environmental, and construction services with experience helping design and deliver successful streetcar projects in Kansas City, Tucson, and other cities. With an office in Portland, HDR also supported the development of the project's Locally Preferred Alternative during the planning phase for the Montgomery Park Streetcar Extension (MPSE).
The project also issued a Notice of Intent to Award in June 2026 to streetcar supplier CAF for the purchase of new hybrid vehicles. The project team is working toward issuing NTP by early September 2026 to produce 10 off-wire capable streetcars to support the extension.
Advancing Design
In July 2026, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) held a design kickoff meeting with the consultant team and project partners at Portland Streetcar, TriMet, and Metro. TriMet will serve as project sponsor with the Federal Transit Administration as the team works toward applying for a Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Small Starts grant to fund at least 50% of the project. Metro, the Portland metropolitan regional government, will be supporting environmental review and ridership modeling. Early design completion through 30% is expected by December 2026
Regional Transportation Plan Amendment
In April 2026, Metro Council voted to amend the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) to include the MPSE's Locally Preferred Alternative and updated estimated cost. The project is part of Metro's High Capacity Transit Strategy and was already on the financially-constrained project list in the RTP.
You can learn more about the Regional Transportation Plan at Metro's website.
Public engagement
The project team met with local engagement firm JLA in July 2026 to kick off scoping for public engagement for the project's Project Development phase, including engineering, design, and environmental review. JLA supported public involvement for the MPSE during the planning phase and will be supporting additional engagement moving forward. The team is currently working to update the draft public engagement strategy and public materials, including an updated public engagement timeline.
Upcoming events
PBOT expects to formally kick off public engagement in Fall 2026 for the project, beginning with reintroducing the project to the public. A key phase of engagement is planned to occur at the end of the preliminary design phase (30% design), including a project open house, expected in late Fall 2026 or early Winter 2026/2027. As engagement opportunities become available, information will be provided on this webpage. If you have any questions in the meantime, you can reach out to the project team at MPStreetcar@portland.gov.
You can also sign up for email updates to stay informed and learn about future events and engagement opportunities related to the project.
Click here to review the draft public engagement strategy
Previous engagement
To date, the following public engagement has occurred:
- 2007-2009:
- Portland Streetcar System Concept Plan engagement, including open houses, public workshops, District Working Group meetings, presentations to Neighborhood Coalitions and Neighborhood Associations, a Stakeholder Advisory committee, and public comments
- 2019:
- Neighborhood and business association meetings to inform stakeholders in the Northwest study area about the project and collect feedback, including meetings with:
- Northwest District Association and subcommittees
- Northwest Industrial Neighborhood Association
- Northwest (formerly Nob Hill) Business Association
- AIA Portland Urban Design Committee
- Neighborhood and business association meetings to inform stakeholders in the Northwest study area about the project and collect feedback, including meetings with:
- 2020:
- Spring: Kickoff open house sharing information about the project and collecting feedback from the public
- Summer: Urban design concept virtual open house to gather public preferences for land use develop scenarios and streetcar alignment alternatives
- Fall: Community based organization (CBO) outreach to understand aspirations, concerns, and priorities of community members
- 2020-2021:
- Northwest Project Working Group (PWG) recruitment and meetings, whose members included people with connections to neighborhood groups, local business groups, transportation advocates, property owners, and representatives of community based organizations
- 2021-2022:
- December 2021-May 2022: Public comments open for the MP2H Northwest Plan Discussion Draft
- 2023:
- May - June: Email outreach with stakeholder groups; Project mailer sent to all addresses within 1/3 mile of proposed alignment (more than 7000 addresses)
- June 1: Northwest District Association (NWDA) Planning Committee meeting
- 2023 continued:
- June 20: Northwest Parking District Open House
- June 21: Northwest Parking District Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting
- 2023 continued:
- June 28: Canvassing on and adjacent to NW 23rd Avenue and discussions with businesses and employees about project
- June 28: MP2H Northwest Plan Design and Character Statement Workshop Open House
- July 6: Northwest Active Streets (NWAS) Meeting
- July 12: Canvassing near existing streetcar alignment at parks and discussions with community members about project
- July 25: Tabling at Get Around Slabtown to discuss the project and get feedback about the project with residents, workers, and visitors in the area
- June - July: Montgomery Park Streetcar Online Open House and Survey
- August 8: Briefing to the Portland Planning Commission
- November: Intercept surveys at existing Portland Streetcar stations on and near NW 23rd Avenue to gather input from transit users in the area
- 2024
- April 11: Northwest Industrial Business Association (NIBA) meeting
- April 16 - May 28: Public comments and testimony received on the Proposed Draft of the MPAP
- April 11: Northwest Industrial Business Association meeting
- April 18: Northwest District Association (NWDA) Planning Committee meeting
- May 1: Northwest Active Streets meeting
- May 21: Joint Briefing and public hearing with the Planning Commission and Design Commission
- June 5: Design Commission Work Session
- June 11: Planning Commission Work Session
- June 20: Design Commission Work Session
- June 25: Meeting with York Working Group
- June 25: Planning Commission Work Session
- July 9: Planning Commission Work Session and Vote
- July 18: Design Commission Work Session and Vote
- July 19: Meeting with York Working Group (now York Collective)
- April - October: Email and phone conversations with community members, Northwest District Association members, and Northwest Active Streets
- October 24: Northwest District Association (NWDA) Planning Committee Meeting
- November 13: City Council Hearing on MPAP and Recommended Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)
- November 21: City Council Hearing on Public Benefits Agreement (PBA)
- December 4: City Council Hearing and adoption of proposed amendments to the MPAP
- December 11: City Council Hearing and adoption of the MPAP, LPA, and PBA
- 2025
- April 16: Introduction of Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) at Metro Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC)
- May 2: Introduction of LPA at Metro Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee (TPAC)
- May 15: Introduction of LPA at Metro Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT)
- May 28: Introduction of LPA at Metro Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)
- June 6: Endorsement by TPAC to advance LPA to Metro Council for endorsement consideration
- June 18: Endorsement by MTAC to advance LPA to Metro Council for endorsement consideration
- June 24: Introduction of LPA at Metro Council
- July 31: Endorsement of LPA by Metro Council
Project Timeline
2026
- Completion of project rating materials for Federal Transit Administration's Small Starts grant program
- Preliminary design (30%) completion (expected December 2026)
- Begin environmental review
- Concept design community engagement, including 30% design open house
2027
- Advance design through 60%
- Continue community engagement
- Complete environmental review
- Secure all necessary local funding sources
2028
- Final 100% design milestone (expected Spring/Summer 2028)
- Complete design phase engagement
- Apply for federal funding
2029 - 2031
- Construction
2031
- Project completion and start of streetcar extension service (expected Spring/Summer 2031)
Sign up for email updates
Click here to sign up for email updates
What's included in this project?
The Portland Streetcar Montgomery Park Extension will extend the existing Portland Streetcar North-South (NS) line along NW 23rd Avenue north of NW Northrup Street to a new parallel one-way couplet along NW Roosevelt and NW Wilson streets. The project includes multimodal extensions of NW Roosevelt Street, NW Wilson Street, and NW 25th Avenue in the couplet area. This project will also fully rehabilitate NW 23rd Avenue between NW Vaughn and NW Northrup streets; this full depth rehabilitation will include the replacement of aging underground utilities, the removal of historic trolley tracks, stormwater upgrades, new curb ramps and bulbouts, signal and crossing improvements, new lighting, and strategic sidewalk repair.
The route for the project was finalized in the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). The LPA was unanimously adopted by Portland City Council on December 11, 2024 and endorsed by Metro on July 31, 2025. The LPA describes the transit mode, alignment, and approximate station locations. It was developed through the MPAP planning process and included the consideration of various alternatives. More information about the development and selection of the preferred alignment is available in the Preferred Alignment Overview.
Click here to read the Preferred Alignment Overview
The adopted Montgomery Park Area Transportation Plan
Since 2019, PBOT has been working with the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) to develop an area land use and transportation plan to establish a new transit-oriented, mixed-use district west of Highway 30 between NW Nicolai and NW Vaughn streets in Northwest Portland. The Montgomery Park Area Transportation Plan is a component of the resulting Montgomery Park Area Plan (MPAP). City Council unanimously adopted the MPAP on December 11, 2024.
The MPAP and Montgomery Park Area Transportation Plan aim to transition the Montgomery Park Area from a somewhat underutilized industrial- and employment-focused district into a mixed-use employment district that will support both job growth and housing development. To achieve this, the plans include a suite of land use and transportation changes to promote dense, equitable development around the planned extension of Portland Streetcar to Montgomery Park.
The Montgomery Park Area Transportation Plan is Volume 3 of the MPAP. In addition to the streetcar extension, the transportation plan recommends several multimodal transportation improvements in the area, as well as changes to the Transportation System Plan (TSP) and implementation strategies.
Click here to read through the adopted Montgomery Park Area Transportation Plan
You can learn more about the MPAP and adopted land use changes at the MPAP webpage. There, you can also review planning documents.
Click here to learn more about the MPAP
Project informational video
A brief informational video about the proposed streetcar extension to Montgomery Park is now available. You can watch it below.
Project background
In 2001, Portland launched the country's first modern-era streetcar system to serve Downtown Portland, Northwest Portland, and the developing Pearl District. The streetcar system was expanded in the mid-2000s to serve the emerging South Waterfront district, and later the Lloyd Center and Central Eastside.
In 2009, City Council adopted the Portland Streetcar System Concept Plan. The Plan took a citywide view of streetcar system expansion, and a future line to Montgomery Park (the city's second largest office complex) was identified. The recent 2035 Comprehensive Plan and Transportation System Plan prioritized the Montgomery Park extension for planning and implementation.
In 2018, City Council funded a preliminary Northwest Public Streetcar Extension and Land Use Alternatives Analysis for the extension. In 2019, the Montgomery Park to Hollywood Land Use and Development Study (MP2H) was funded through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). In 2021, after public engagement and study, PBOT and BPS developed draft land use and transportation plans for the area.
After refinement and additional community engagement, the project team released a Proposed Draft of the Montgomery Park Area Plan (MPAP) in April 2024. The Planning Commission and Design Commission held a joint public hearing on the MPAP Proposed Draft in May 2024. Dozens of people testified on the plan, either in writing or in person. In July 2024 after several work sessions, the two commissions recommended adoption of the MPAP with amendments to City Council.
In October 2024, a Recommended Draft of the MPAP was released for public review and testimony. Portland City Council deliberated the MPAP in November and December, offered final amendments, and unanimously adopted the plan on December 11, 2024. The Montgomery Park Area Transportation Plan is Volume 3 of the MPAP.
The MPAP includes land use and transportation changes to the industrial employment area north of NW Vaughn Street and west of Highway 30, to complement the Portland Streetcar extension along NW 23rd Avenue and NW Wilson and Roosevelt streets to Montgomery Park. Alongside the plan, a Public Benefits Agreement (PBA) was also adopted and will support development that creates more equitable outcomes and benefits to the community, including affordable housing, new middle-wage jobs, a new public open space, and other public benefits.
You can learn more about the MPAP and PBA here
The opportunity
For more than 20 years, the Portland Streetcar has been one of the City's tools for equitable and sustainable development. The new 1.3-mile streetcar extension to Montgomery Park and adopted land use changes will support the development of a new mixed-use district in Northwest Portland, with the potential for thousands of new housing units, including affordable housing.
The streetcar extension will help us:
- Connect more people via transit to critical destinations, including Forest Park, employment opportunities, healthcare, and educational opportunities in Northwest Portland, Downtown, and throughout Portland and the region
- Reduce carbon emissions by helping people meet their daily needs without a personal automobile
- Expand Streetcar access to diverse riders who rely every day on transit to get to important destinations
- Provide zero-emission, high capacity transit to future residents, employees, and visitors of a new mixed-use district west of Highway 30
- Rehabilitate NW 23rd Avenue from NW Lovejoy Street to NW Vaughn Street, supporting the vitality of one of Northwest Portland's most vibrant streets
Key facts about the extension
While the project is still in the planning phase, some key issues regarding the streetcar extension include:
- Parking: Parking loss along NW 23rd Avenue will be as minimal as possible. Some parking loss may be triggered by stormwater and accessibility requirements as a result of the street rehabilitation.
- Right-of-way: The streetcar will be able to fit within the right-of-way on NW 23rd Avenue, with minimal impacts to travel lanes. Parking will be maintained on both sides of the street.
- Loading zones: Due to constraints, loading zones are not currently planned on NW 23rd Avenue. None currently exist.
- Transit travel time: Streetcar trips are not expected to be slower and streetcar headways will not be less frequent because of the extension.
- Off-wire extension: The new streetcar extension will be 100% off-wire utilizing proven hybrid battery technology, allowing cars to switch effortlessly between the existing streetcar system and this new extension. It will result in no new poles or overhead wires, reducing construction and ongoing maintenance costs while minimizing impacts to NW 23rd Avenue. Portland Streetcar's original fleet of vehicles are nearly 25 years old and are in need of replacement. Procurement of up to 12 new streetcars with off-wire capability is already planned due to this need. More information is available at the Portland Streetcar website.
- Construction: The project team is coordinating project elements to minimize disruption as much as possible during construction, and PBOT will work to support businesses and residents during that time. Construction is expected to begin in 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
The project team has compiled an updated document providing answers to FAQs about the project.