Big changes are coming to 82nd Avenue. The 82nd Avenue Transit Project will bring better bus service between Clackamas Town Center and the Cully neighborhood. That better bus service will mean improved travel time, making it easier for people to get to jobs, schools and other destinations along the corridor.
The project will upgrade our Line 72 on 82nd Avenue to FX-Frequent Express. Longer 60-foot, zero-emissions buses will feature multiple doors for faster boarding. The new bus service will speed up trips, provide more reliability and maintain existing connections to MAX Blue, Green and Red lines and the 20 other intersecting bus lines along 82nd Avenue.
FX service is expected to begin on 82nd Avenue in 2029.
Keeping Buses Moving
A big part of this project is helping buses move smoothly through traffic so riders can get where they’re going faster. We’ll do that by consolidating bus stops, using buses with all-door boarding and room for bikes on board, and by implementing transit signal priority. Buses will communicate with signals to get more green lights. This will help to keep buses out of congestion and make travel times more reliable.
Business Access and Transit Lanes
We’re also exploring the use of Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes, something project partners have been discussing with the community for the past six months.
A BAT lane is a curbside travel lane that’s only for buses and cars turning right into driveways or at intersections. Through traffic would stay in the inner lanes, away from buses. Business entrances would remain accessible from the curbside lanes, as they are today. This creates a shared use of the road, so buses don’t get stuck in traffic while drivers can still access businesses.
Here’s a conceptual rendering of what a BAT lane could look like:
BAT lanes are already being used successfully in our community. The Division Transit Project, which built the route for our FX2-Division line (or first FX line), created 12 blocks of BAT lanes on Division between SE 110th and 122nd avenues. There’s also a BAT lane on northbound 82nd Avenue between SE Monterey Avenue and King Road. There are other BAT lanes currently used by buses around town, including Downtown Portland, SW Portland, inner SE and NE Portland.
How BAT Lanes Could be Used on 82nd Avenue
The project team is studying two scenarios for new BAT lanes in both directions between NE Lombard and SE Clatsop streets.
These scenarios were developed for purposes of study—they’re concepts from which designs could evolve, not precise options for construction. Here’s what they look like:
The “Some BAT lanes” scenario converts an existing lane into a BAT lane of approximately three miles in each direction. Read more about the “Some BAT lanes” concept online.
The “More BAT lanes” scenario converts an existing lane into a BAT lane for about seven miles in each direction. Read more about the “More BAT lanes” concept online.
What’s Happening Now
Looking ahead, we’ll continue to consider the extent of how BAT lanes could be used in the project. At the November 7 Policy & Budget Committee meeting, we’ll learn from the committee members what information they need to make a recommendation on the extent of BAT lanes that should proceed through the next phase of design.
No decision will be made during the November 7 meeting. Rather, it’s an opportunity for committee members and the community to hear the latest information from our staff and to ask questions as options continue to be explored. Visit the project webpage to learn more about the meeting, including how to provide a public comment.
What’s Ahead
Hearing from our community is important and will help shape a safer, more livable corridor. The 82nd Avenue Transit Project is one step in building that future for 82nd Avenue. We recognize that 82nd serves lots of people—transit riders, businesses, residents and those who travel through it. With so many relying on 82nd for different reasons, perspectives vary on how the project can best balance the needs of everyone.
We appreciate the feedback we’ve received so far, and we are committed to continuing to hear from all voices as we move forward. A decision about the project’s use of BAT lanes is expected early in the new year. Then, designs will continue to be refined, informed by ongoing community input.
We’ll share more details on how to have your voice heard and future project updates at trimet.org/82nd. Sign up for project updates online at trimet.org/emailupdates.