91视频

TriMet’s new MAX orange line is nearing completion millions of dollars under budget — and a portion of those savings will be used to enhance the project.

The federally funded Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project was originally estimated to cost $1.49 billion. However, TriMet officials now anticipate the project will be between $10 million and $40 million under budget when completed in September.

Technically, any money saved on the project goes back to agencies that stepped forward with money for the project.

The Federal Transit Administration was in line to receive 50 percent 鈥� or between $5 million and $20 million 鈥� of the money not used. However, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., pushed to the feds to allow TriMet to keep $3.6 million of that amount.

TriMet plans to use the excess federal money it gets to keep to restore several elements of the project that had been cut out of the final plans. This includes additional heated rail switches and an ice cap on the overhead power wires to help the MAX trains run more smoothly during winter weather, and constructing three shelters at new orange line stops.

Merkley praised the project on Monday after walking across the nearly complete Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People with TriMet leaders and representatives of labor unions whose members contributed to building the transit bridge and 7.3-mile light-rail line. When it officially opens on Sept. 12, the bridge will carry the orange line, the Portland Streetcar, buses, pedestrians and bicyclists across the Willamette River between Portland’s South Waterfront and Central Eastside.

鈥淚t’s just a beautiful project,鈥� Merkley said. 鈥淎 project like this adds a tremendous amount to the livability of the area.鈥�

He said he pushed for TriMet to keep a portion of the federal funds the transit agency would otherwise have to return as a reward for delivering the project significantly under budget.

鈥淚t’s a good policy in a number of ways,鈥� Merkley said. 鈥淚t starts as an incentive for folks to come in under budget. It made sense both as an incentive and making the system work better when it’s in operation.鈥�

The federal government joins other project funders that will benefit from the project coming in under budget. The state of Oregon, Oregon Department of Transportation, Metro, Portland Development Commission, Multnomah and Clackamas counties and the cities of Portland, Milwaukie and Oregon City are anticipated to save between $5 and $20 million on the project, according to TriMet.

The exact savings won’t be determined until the federal appropriations process is complete in 2019, said Dan Blocher, TriMet executive director of capital projects. Until then, the project will continue to incur costs and receive federal grant payments. This is why TriMet officials have estimated the savings in a range.

鈥淲e feel pretty sure it’s going to come in under budget,鈥� Blocher said. 鈥淯ntil we get all of our money from the federal government, we don’t know what the financial impact will be.鈥�

He and TriMet’s general manager, Neil McFarlane, attributed the savings to a dedicated and organized project team. Historically low interest rates have also helped.

鈥淲e have terrific designers and contractors and it’s a very experienced team, and that manifests in well-run projects,鈥� Blocher said.

Merkley said the project helps emphasize the importance of infrastructure investments. As a car-free bridge, Tilikum Crossing could also be a trendsetter, he said.

鈥淚t’s really a statement to alternative forms of transportation,鈥� Merkley said. 鈥淚t’s going to get a whole lot of people out of their cars.鈥�