Interstate MAX/North-South Transit Mall

Station-By-Station

Departing the Steel Bridge, the Yellow line switches off the mainline onto Interstate Avenue on a wye junction. This allows trains going back to Ruby Junction yards access to eastbound tracks or regular trains to access downtown through the mainline.

The first station, Interstate/Rose Quarter features tall glass trees, making this station a focal point. Perhaps the most striking feature of the new line, these trees are lit at night using solar energy. Both side platforms feature three "trees" each. Transfers to the Red and Blue Lines and bus service at Rose Quarter TC is a walk across the Rose Quarter lawn.

This station, like Rose Quarter TC, serves the Rose Garden Arena and Memorial Coliseum. Like most of the Interstate stations, this is located in the center of Interstate Avenue.

Continuing north, tracks are tie and ballast, ducking under the Broadway Bridge. A new major-league baseball stadium has been proposed near this location. There are good views of the Portland skyline from the left hand side of the train (facing the cab). The line continues into the Lower Albina District, now a mostly industrial area, but formerly a vibrant community famous for its nightclubs and jazz acts. The Albina/Mississippi "island" station here honors that heritage with a large musically-themed sculpture. This station also serves a popular brewery and restaurant, and Emanuel Hospital. Some of the old buildings lining the route are being restored.

The tracks through Albina are paved, but return to ballast shortly after crossing Russell Street. Continuing north, trains climb the "Interstate Hill" after crossing under the I-405 Fremont Bridge. The Union Pacific Albina Yards can be seen to the left. After cresting the Interstate Hill, the paved tracks begin again. The next station is Overlook Park, which sits in front of the Kaiser Permanente Interstate Clinic complex. The theme of this station focuses on healing and the community. Lighted kiosks are also a tribute to the neighborhood's traditional Polish heritage.

North of Overlook Park, the rider experiences the first of Interstate Avenue's roadside Americana architecture. The Alabi Pub and the Palms Motor Hotel once catered to the motorists when Interstate Avenue was the highway north to Vancouver. Colorful neon signs such as these two businesses' still light up the night after many decades. Both businesses have been doing well as of this writing.

The tracks and Interstate Avenue jog to the west, then continue heading north around Skidmore Street. At the end of this curb, the "island" platform of N. Prescott Street serves Going Street and Swan Island. A unique rainwater runoff system turns a sculpted "prow" into a fountain, then sends the water into a nearby greenspace. A large one-ton propeller-shaped sculpture sits nearby.

The next three Yellow Line stations resemble Eastside MAX stations along East Burnside in layout. However, these new stations include artwork instead of the "cookie-cutter" look of the original MAX line. The first is colorful N. Killingsworth Street. The design of the station was influenced by the artwork of Africa and India.

Rosa Parks (N. Portland Blvd.), the next stop, features Native American design in its railings, shelter pillars, and platform paving. Bus service at this station connects to the University of Portland.

N. Lombard Transit Center serves as a connection point to bus service across north and northeast Portland. Since the Yellow Line replaced the old #5-Interstate bus, the #6-MLK has been rerouted here to connect to TriMet bus service to Vancouver, WA. Previously, this service was provided by #5. Artwork here features mosaic tiled pictures. Images reflect on workers. The station shelter pillars were given tilework, which is duplicated on the Lombard Street bus shelters.

To the north, the tracks jog west again, following Interstate Avenue into the Kenton neighborhood. The northbound lanes of Interstate Avenue cross the tracks just before Kenton/N. Denver station. Set at the intersection of Argyle, Interstate, and Denver Avenues, this is the last station on Interstate Avenue. A huge statue of Paul Bunyan looks over the intersection, a local landmark predating the MAX line.

Pulling out of Kenton, trains move onto the Vanport Bridge after crossing Argyle Avenue. Previously known as the "Long Bridge", this structure spans the Columbia Slough, taking trains into Delta Park. Mirrored balls with flaming tails are affixed to the bridge's railings, recalling old cars or hot rods. As trains progress north, blue panels symbolizing the Columbia River intermix with the flames, thus appearing as if the flames are being put out by water. To the left, you are able to see right into the Portland International Raceway.

Directly after the Vanport Bridge is the Delta Park/Vanport Transit Center, so named to commemorate the World War 2-era prefab housing city which once existed here. In 1948, the Columbia River flooded the city, then the second largest in Oregon, thus destroying it and displacing thousands. Delta Park is actually two large parks divided by the I-5 freeway. West Delta Park and the Portland International Raceway sit atop the site of Vanport. The MAX station is elevated to accommodate the descent of the Vanport Bridge. It sits between the I-5 freeway and Expo Road, allowing direct access bus ramps to be built into the station. Thus far, these are unused. A large park and ride lot was built at this station.

While constructing Interstate MAX, contractors moved land excavated at the Rose Quarter to fill sections at Delta Park. They also built several new large wetlands, which you can see to the left. Tracks parallel Expo Road into the Portland Expo Center grounds.

Expo Center station marks the end of the line for now. The tracks and electrification end directly inside the station. However, this station is designed to allow the Yellow Line to easily be extended north. This station has two main tracks, and an "island" platform. A pocked track and spare side platform were built for use during special events.

The artwork here addresses the Japanese-American relocation center that operated here during World War 2. Three large Japanese gates feature dangling metal tags, similar to those internees used on their luggage.

Downtown Vancouver, Washington is only a mile away from the end of the tracks. The abrupt end of tracks reminds me of the terminus of a San Diego Trolley line, which posted an interesting sign at the end of the tracks. I'll close with it's statement, appropriate for the Yellow Line: "To be Continued....."