View source for MAX Red Line

{{Short description|Light rail line in Portland, Oregon}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = MAX Red Line
| other_name                      = Airport MAX<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-redline.pdf |title=Airport MAX Red Line |publisher=TriMet |date=July 2016 |access-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035659/https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/max-redline.pdf |archive-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref>
| color                           = {{rcr|TriMet|red}}
| image                           = Red Line train approaching Portland Airport station, September 2024.jpg
| image_width                     = 
| image_alt                       = A MAX train approaching Portland Airport station with the Portland International Airport terminal in the background.
| logo                            = {{ric|TriMet|Red|size=24}}
| caption                         = A Red Line train at Portland International Airport
| type                            = [[Light rail]]
| system                          = [[MAX Light Rail]]
| status                          = <!-- Only use when line is not operating normally -->
| locale                          = [[Portland, Oregon]], U.S.
| start                           = {{stl|TriMet|Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds}} (west)
| end                             = {{stl|TriMet|Portland Airport}} (east)
| stations                        = 37
| website                         = [https://trimet.org/schedules/maxredline.htm MAX Red Line]
| routes                          = 
| daily_ridership                 = 17,390 (Weekday, {{dts|2024|09}})<ref name="sep-2024-perf-report">{{cite web |title=September 2024 Monthly Performance Report |url=https://trimet.org/about/pdf/2024/Sep%202024%20MPR.pdf |publisher=[[TriMet]] |access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref>
| open                            = {{Start date and age|2001|09|10}}
| close                           = 
| owner                           = [[TriMet]]
| operator                        = TriMet
| character                       = [[At-grade railway|At-grade]], [[Elevated railway|elevated]], and underground
| linelength                      = {{convert|5.5|mi|km|1|abbr=on}}{{efn|name=length|TriMet publications only provide the total length of the Airport MAX extension, i.e., the {{convert|5.5|mi|km|1|adj=on}} section that was newly built. The total length of Red Line service, which includes segments of the [[Eastside MAX]] and the [[Westside MAX]], has not been published.<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016"/>}}
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = 2
| gauge                           = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| electrification                 = {{750 V DC|conductor=overhead}}
| map                             = {{MAX Red Line}}
| map_name                        = Route diagram
| map_state                       = collapsed
}}
The '''MAX Red Line''' is a [[light rail]] line serving the [[Portland metropolitan area]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oregon]]. Operated by [[TriMet]] as part of [[MAX Light Rail]], it is an [[airport rail link]] connecting [[Hillsboro, Oregon|Hillsboro]], [[Beaverton, Oregon|Beaverton]], [[Downtown Portland, Oregon|Portland City Center]], and [[Northeast Portland, Oregon|Northeast Portland]] to [[Portland International Airport]]. The Red Line serves 37 stations; it [[Through service|interlines]] with the [[MAX Blue Line|Blue Line]] and partially with the [[MAX Green Line|Green Line]] from [[Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station]] to [[Gateway Transit Center (TriMet)|Gateway Transit Center]] and then [[Branch line|branches]] off to [[Portland Airport station]]. Service runs for 22 hours per day with [[headway]]s of up to 15 minutes. The Red Line carried an average 17,390 passengers per weekday in September 2024, the second busiest after the Blue Line.

Plans for light rail service to Portland International Airport surfaced in the 1980s, and efforts were accelerated during the airport's expansion in the 1990s. The '''Airport MAX''' project was conceived from an unsolicited proposal by [[Bechtel]] in 1997, and it was designed and built under a [[public–private partnership]] between a [[consortium]] of Bechtel and [[Trammell Crow Company|Trammell Crow]], the [[Port of Portland (Oregon)|Port of Portland]], and local governments. Construction of the four-station, {{convert|5.5|mi|km|1|adj=on}} branch line began in 1999 and was completed in under two years due to the use of local and private financing and existing public [[Right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]].

The Red Line began operating between the airport and downtown Portland on September 10, 2001. It was extended west along existing MAX tracks to Beaverton Transit Center in 2003. In 2024, the ''A Better Red'' project eliminated two single-track segments along the Airport MAX and extended Red Line service farther west to [[Hillsboro Airport]] and Westside Commons, formerly Washington County Fairgrounds, in Hillsboro.

==History==
===Background===

In 1975, [[Multnomah County, Oregon|Multnomah County]] leaders negotiated reducing the number of car lanes along a future {{convert|9|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} section of the controversial [[Interstate 205 (Oregon–Washington)|Interstate 205]] (I-205) [[freeway]]<ref name="ODOT-IH2004">{{cite report |last=Kramer |first=George |title=The Interstate Highway System in Oregon, A Historic Overview |publisher=[[Oregon Department of Transportation]] |date=May 2004 |page=60 |oclc=57183445 |url=https://digital.osl.state.or.us/islandora/object/osl%3A10930/datastream/OBJ/view |via=State Library of Oregon Digital Collections |access-date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831141223/https://digital.osl.state.or.us/islandora/object/osl%3A10930/datastream/OBJ/view |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and proposed a separated [[transit bus]] [[Right-of-way (transportation)|right-of-way]] instead.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--no by line; staff writer(s)--> |title=Council backs I-205 if modified |newspaper=[[The Oregonian]] |date=April 24, 1975 |page=B4 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-NB&docref=image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40EANX-NB-131D522A92E26B2C%402442527-131D4D5BB11E8D52%4017-131D4D5BB11E8D52%40 |access-date=May 22, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=[[NewsBank]] |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915040609/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DEANX-NB%26docref%3Dimage/v2%253A11A73E5827618330%2540EANX-NB-131D522A92E26B2C%25402442527-131D4D5BB11E8D52%254017-131D4D5BB11E8D52%2540 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--no by line; staff writer(s)--> |title=Agreement on I-205 plans cited |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=July 30, 1975 |page=F4 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-NB&docref=image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40EANX-NB-132ACF923639F565%402442624-132ACEA5D7614152%4071-132ACEA5D7614152%40 |access-date=May 22, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=NewsBank |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915040531/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DEANX-NB%26docref%3Dimage/v2%253A11A73E5827618330%2540EANX-NB-132ACF923639F565%25402442624-132ACEA5D7614152%254071-132ACEA5D7614152%2540 |url-status=live }}</ref> This segment was realized as the [[I-205 busway]],<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--no by line; staff writer(s)--> |title=Tri-Met board okays I-205 busway concept |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=February 3, 1976 |page=A8 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-NB&docref=image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40EANX-NB-131D4FC4C37B79D4%402442812-131B47E4D732C143%407-131B47E4D732C143%40 |access-date=May 22, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=NewsBank |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915040531/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DEANX-NB%26docref%3Dimage/v2%253A11A73E5827618330%2540EANX-NB-131D4FC4C37B79D4%25402442812-131B47E4D732C143%25407-131B47E4D732C143%2540 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hortsch |first=Dan |title=I-205 section passes tests for final approval |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=October 7, 1976 |page=E12 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-NB&docref=image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40EANX-NB-131FEE6295B43210%402443059-131FA1900F91F050%4064-131FA1900F91F050%40 |access-date=May 22, 2021 |url-access=registration |via=NewsBank |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915040531/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DEANX-NB%26docref%3Dimage/v2%253A11A73E5827618330%2540EANX-NB-131FEE6295B43210%25402443059-131FA1900F91F050%254064-131FA1900F91F050%2540 |url-status=live }}</ref> but it was never utilized by buses.<ref name="ODOT-IH2004"/><ref name="after-35-years">{{cite news |last=Redden |first=Jim |title=After 35 years of waiting, TriMet's Green Line hits all the parties: Thousands ride new I-205 line that was born of a '70s freeway rebellion |newspaper=[[Portland Tribune]] |date=September 10, 2009 |url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=125252833417516900 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608052643/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=125252833417516900 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2014}}</ref> In 1985, the [[Portland metropolitan area]]'s regional government, [[Metro (Oregon regional government)|Metro]], began a study for the [[Port of Portland (Oregon)|Port of Portland]] and [[Clackamas County, Oregon|Clackamas County]], who proposed a [[light rail]] line using the I-205 busway. They envisioned the line running from [[Portland International Airport]] to [[Clackamas Town Center]] and connecting with the then-nearly completed [[MAX Light Rail|Metropolitan Area Express]] (MAX) line, which traveled perpendicularly between Portland and [[Gresham, Oregon|Gresham]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cochran |first1=Wanda |last2=Kohler |first2=Vince |title=Light-rail study gets approval |date=December 14, 1984 |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=C7 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-NB&docref=image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40EANX-NB-1328874D54BE5910%402446049-13288559AECC599A%4074-13288559AECC599A%40 |access-date=April 8, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=NewsBank |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915040534/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DEANX-NB%26docref%3Dimage/v2%253A11A73E5827618330%2540EANX-NB-1328874D54BE5910%25402446049-13288559AECC599A%254074-13288559AECC599A%2540 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kohler |first=Vince |title=Light-rail line study under way |date=July 11, 1985 |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=D4 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-NB&docref=image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40EANX-NB-132937A9D340F018%402446258-132929171B5BE0F6%4075-132929171B5BE0F6%40 |access-date=April 8, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=NewsBank |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915040613/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DEANX-NB%26docref%3Dimage/v2%253A11A73E5827618330%2540EANX-NB-132937A9D340F018%25402446258-132929171B5BE0F6%254075-132929171B5BE0F6%2540 |url-status=live }}</ref> Metro had recommended construction by 1995,<ref>{{cite news |last=Kohler |first=Vince |title=Panel calls for study of proposed I-205 light-rail link |date=April 23, 1987 |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=D19 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-NB&docref=image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40EANX-NB-132A904B5AE51DB6%402446909-132A828492D401C6%4054-132A828492D401C6%40 |access-date=April 9, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=NewsBank |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915041033/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DEANX-NB%26docref%3Dimage/v2%253A11A73E5827618330%2540EANX-NB-132A904B5AE51DB6%25402446909-132A828492D401C6%254054-132A828492D401C6%2540 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kohler |first=Vince |title=Metro committee seeks funds to build I-205 light-rail link |date=May 17, 1987 |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=E2 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-NB&docref=image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40EANX-NB-132A91DA08E22949%402446933-132A8CFF34F581E9%40108-132A8CFF34F581E9%40 |access-date=April 9, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=NewsBank |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915041034/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DEANX-NB%26docref%3Dimage/v2%253A11A73E5827618330%2540EANX-NB-132A91DA08E22949%25402446933-132A8CFF34F581E9%2540108-132A8CFF34F581E9%2540 |url-status=live }}</ref> but in 1987, the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) separately identified the [[Westside MAX|Westside Corridor]] from [[Downtown Portland, Oregon|downtown Portland]] to [[Washington County, Oregon|Washington County]] as the "next priority corridor for major investment".<ref>{{cite news |last=Bodine |first=Harry |title=Light-rail expansion backed by officials |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 30, 1987 |page=B12 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-NB&docref=image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40EANX-NB-13298BD05455A553%402447069-1328D7C5E0D9C800%4034-1328D7C5E0D9C800%40 |access-date=March 22, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=NewsBank |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915041034/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DEANX-NB%26docref%3Dimage/v2%253A11A73E5827618330%2540EANX-NB-13298BD05455A553%25402447069-1328D7C5E0D9C800%254034-1328D7C5E0D9C800%2540 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bodine |first=Harry |title=Mass transit, major highway projects given priority |date=October 27, 1987 |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=B4 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-NB&docref=image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40EANX-NB-132AE72A5E888B78%402447096-132AE05E980C1D73%4028-132AE05E980C1D73%40 |access-date=April 9, 2022 |url-access=registration |via=NewsBank |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915041034/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/user/login?destination=document-view%3Fp%3DEANX-NB%26docref%3Dimage/v2%253A11A73E5827618330%2540EANX-NB-132AE72A5E888B78%25402447096-132AE05E980C1D73%254028-132AE05E980C1D73%2540 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="westside-deis-aa-1982">{{cite report |author1=United States. [[United States Department of Transportation|Department of Transportation]] |author2=United States. [[Urban Mass Transportation Administration]] |title=Westside Corridor Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Alternatives Analysis |date=March 1982 |pages=2.1-3, 2.1-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QNc3AQAAMAAJ |access-date=December 14, 2020 |via=[[Google Books]] |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915035610/https://books.google.com/books?id=QNc3AQAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Metro and the regional transit agency, [[TriMet]], subsequently called on local governments and businesses in Clackamas County to pursue alternative funding sources for the I-205 line,<ref>{{cite news |last=Kohler |first=Vince |title=Joint efforts of business, government could spur rail line; both groups need to finance, back line along I-205, panel says |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=May 23, 1988 |page=B5 }}</ref> which Clackamas County officials disputed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Green |first=Ashbel S. |title=County officials debate light-rail routes |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=October 6, 1988 |page=W1 }}</ref> As a compromise, Metro published a transit plan in 1989 that reasserted the Westside Corridor's priority and commissioned preliminary work for the I-205 proposal.<ref name="metro-oks">{{cite news |last=Bodine |first=Harry |title=Metro OKs $1.5&nbsp;billion transit plan |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=January 14, 1989 |page=D1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mayer |first=James |title=Tri-Met looks to the future: The success of MAX sparks dreams of expanding |date=April 9, 1989 |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=A1 }}</ref> Ensuing alternatives analyses eventually caused Metro planners to shift light rail plans away from the I-205 corridor in favor of another north–south route farther west closer to [[Downtown Portland, Oregon|downtown Portland]];<ref>{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Dennis |title=Light-rail service? On to Oregon City! |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 15, 1994 |page=D2}}</ref> this route, between [[Hazel Dell, Washington]] and Clackamas Town Center, became known as the "[[MAX Light Rail#South/North plan|South/North Corridor]]".<ref name="Selinger2019">{{cite web |title=Making History: 50 Years of TriMet and Transit in the Portland Region |last=Selinger |first=Philip |date=2019 |publisher=TriMet |url=https://trimet.org/history/pdf/making-history.pdf |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225160919/https://trimet.org/history/pdf/making-history.pdf |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|80}} Voters rejected local funding proposals for the South/North project in 1995 and 1996. In December 1996, Metro proposed combining the South/North project with a locally and privately funded airport light rail extension, as doing so would allow Metro to ask for more federal matching funds.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Oliver |first1=Gordon |last2=Hunsberger |first2=Brent |title=Holding the line on light rail |date=December 9, 1996 |newspaper=The Oregonian }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Cost cuts map way to extend light rail |date=January 29, 1997 |newspaper=The Oregonian }}</ref> TriMet, however, opted to ask Portland-area voters for funding instead, who declined in a 1998 [[ballot measure]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=South–North Line backers find themselves at a loss after election day defeat |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 7, 1998 |page=B1 }}</ref>

===Airport expansion and partnership agreement===
[[File:Cascade Station shopping center entrance - Portland, Oregon.JPG|thumb|right|alt=a road entrance to Cascade Station facing Sports Authority|Cascade Station shopping center, which Bechtel developed in exchange for building the Airport MAX]]

In 1991, the Port approved a master plan for Portland International Airport—a 20-year, $300 million phased expansion of the [[airport terminal|passenger terminal]]—to serve predicted passenger traffic growth through 2010. The plan included a long-term goal for an extension of light rail to the airport.<ref name="300-million-ticket">{{cite news |last=Mayes |first=Steve |title=Portland's airport for the future only needs a $300 million ticket |date=April 11, 1991 |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=A1 }}</ref> Improvements to the southern portion of the terminal were announced in 1995 in response to unanticipated growth.<ref>{{cite news  |last=Barnett |first=Jim |title=Port sees airport expansion |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=January 12, 1995 |page=E1 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=news/0EB088C51BB356A5 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |url-access=registration}}</ref> Designed by [[ZGF Architects|Zimmer Gunsul Frasca]] (ZGF),<ref>{{cite book |last=Dietsch |first=Deborah K. |date=2003 |title=The Evolution of the Portland International Airport |location=New York |publisher=Edizioni Press, Inc. |pages=14–16 |isbn=1-931536-09-0 |lccn=2002101359}}</ref> Terminal Expansion South included a light rail station between the airport access road and the south concourse, {{convert|150|ft|m}} from the [[baggage claim]] area.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lynch |first=Jim |title=Airport lands help from airlines for south concourse expansion |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=March 12, 1998 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=news/0EB08ACEAA035C07 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metroplanning.org/news/6378/Value-Capture-Case-Studies-Portlands-Cascade-Station-and-Light-Rail-to-PDX |last=Nichols |first=Chrissy Mancini |title=Value Capture Case Studies: Portland's Cascade Station and Light Rail to PDX |date=March 26, 2012 |publisher=Metropolitan Planning Council |access-date=February 10, 2022 |archive-date=February 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210230834/https://www.metroplanning.org/news/6378/Value-Capture-Case-Studies-Portlands-Cascade-Station-and-Light-Rail-to-PDX |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1997, engineering firm [[Bechtel]], wanting to acquire property near the airport, submitted an unsolicited proposal to develop the airport light rail line.<ref name="Selinger2019"/>{{rp|82}} The Port expressed its support of the proposal,<ref name="Port wants MAX">{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Port wants MAX to run to airport |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=January 22, 1997 |page=A1}}</ref> and a preliminary engineering study commenced in December.<ref name="Portland to help pay">{{cite news |last=Christ |first=Janet |title=Portland to help pay for study of airport rail line |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=January 1, 1998 |page=D2}}</ref> After long deliberations, agreements were made between Bechtel, the Port, TriMet, and local governments and agencies in October 1998.<ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Tri-Met OKs rail line of 5.5 miles to airport |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 24, 1998 |page=B1}}</ref><ref name="port-oks">{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Port of Portland OKs light-rail agreement |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=October 9, 1998 |page=C1}}</ref> A part of the agreements authorized Bechtel to design and build a {{convert|5.5|mi|km|1|adj=mid|-long}} light rail extension to the airport in exchange for development rights to the {{convert|120|acre|ha|1|adj=on}}, commercially zoned Portland International Center situated east of the airport. Bechtel later developed this property and renamed it [[Cascade Station]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Michael |title=PDX light rail may lead to south-north line |newspaper=Portland Business Journal |date=December 19, 1997 |page=1}}</ref>  The following month, the [[Associated Builders and Contractors]] filed a petition in [[Multnomah County Court|Multnomah County Circuit Court]] claiming that the contract awarded to Bechtel may have violated Oregon [[government procurement|procurement]] laws.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bjorhus |first=Jennifer |title=Contractors battle Tri-Met on bid laws |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 26, 1998 |page=C1}}</ref> The court ruled in favor of TriMet with the judge declaring that the contract was awarded fairly.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bjorhus |first=Jennifer |title=Court tosses out suit against Tri-Met, Bechtel |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=December 5, 1998 |page=B1}}</ref>

===Funding and construction===
[[File:South portal of MAX Red Line's I-205 tunnel with southbound train (2015).jpg|thumb|left|alt=a Red Line train exiting a tunnel|The south portal of the tunnel that was built in the late 1970s as part of the I-205 busway and was first brought into use by the Red Line]]

The Airport MAX project's timeline was accelerated with the formation of a [[public–private partnership]], which excluded [[Federal Transit Administration]] (FTA) funding and thus eliminated a requirement for FTA approval.<ref name="Selinger2019"/>{{rp|82}}<ref name="closer-to-reality">{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Light rail to airport gets closer to reality |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 10, 1998 |page=B1}}</ref> TriMet had estimated the extension would cost $125&nbsp;million, but additional costs to purchase train sets and build related infrastructure raised the total to $182.7&nbsp;million.<ref name="Price Tag">{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Tri-Met puts price tag on airport line |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=July 17, 1998 |page=C1}}</ref> U.S. [[Federal Register|federal regulation]]s and an authorization from the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) limited the Port to funding only a {{convert|1.2|mi|km|1|adj=on}} stretch within airport property.<ref name="port-oks"/> To ensure funding for the entire project, the Port divided financing into three parts and assumed responsibility for that segment. The next {{convert|1.4|mi|km|1}} of track, which ran through Cascade Station, in turn went to private funding, while the final {{convert|2.9|mi|km|1}} along I-205 was covered by TriMet, Metro, and the City of Portland.<ref name="Airport Privatization">{{cite report |last=Ernico |first=Sheri |title=Considering and Evaluating Airport Privatization |volume=66 |issn=1935-9802 |date=2012 |publisher=Transportation Research Board |page=36 |access-date=August 23, 2018 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WIzbwvL4nRIC&pg=PA36 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131045722/https://books.google.com/books?id=WIzbwvL4nRIC&pg=PA36 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |title=Airport Max: A Case Study |url=http://www.transportation-finance.org/pdf/funding_financing/funding/local_funding/Airport_Max_Case_Study.pdf |publisher=BATIC Institute |access-date=August 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035552/http://www.transportation-finance.org/pdf/funding_financing/funding/local_funding/Airport_Max_Case_Study.pdf |archive-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref>

The Port contributed $28.3&nbsp;million for construction and $20&nbsp;million for terminal and road improvements; these funds were drawn from a $3 [[airport improvement fee|ticket fee]] levied on travelers.<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016"/><ref name="Price Tag"/> [[Delta Air Lines]], [[Reno Air]], and [[United Airlines]] had opposed the use of ticket fees, arguing that the extension would serve few airline passengers,<ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=3 airlines oppose light-rail money |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=December 12, 1998 |page=C1}}</ref> but the FAA approved it in May 1999.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Ruling: Port ticket fees can finance 'Air MAX' |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=May 29, 1999 |page=B1}}</ref> Additional funds came from Cascade Station Development, a private [[consortium]] of Bechtel and real estate developer [[Trammell Crow Company|Trammell Crow]], who provided $28.2&nbsp;million for the project and $13.1&nbsp;million for the construction of an interchange over I-205 and Airport Way.<ref name="Take Shape">{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Light-rail line to PDX starting to take shape |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=June 17, 1999 |page=B1}}</ref> TriMet released $27.5&nbsp;million for construction, which was funded by $30&nbsp;million in bonds,<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016"/><ref name="Price Tag"/> and procured six new rail cars for $6&nbsp;million each.<ref name="Take Shape"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/rail-fleet.pdf |title=TriMet's Rail Vehicle Fleet |date=July 2016 |publisher=TriMet |access-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220230445/https://trimet.org/publications/pdf/factsheets/rail-fleet.pdf |archive-date=December 20, 2018}}</ref> Metro allocated $18&nbsp;million from a regional transportation fund,<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016"/><ref name="Price Tag"/> and $23&nbsp;million came from [[tax increment financing|tax increment]] bonds issued by the City of Portland.<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016"/><ref name="Selinger2019"/>{{rp|82}}

David Evans and Associates served as the prime engineer and lead designer.<ref>{{cite book |last=Yee |first=Roger |date=2005 |title=Public Transportation: On the Move |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f1i0GoqE3lUC&pg=PA43 |publisher=Visual Reference Publications |page=43 |volume=1 |isbn=1584710373 |access-date=November 10, 2018 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131045632/https://books.google.com/books?id=f1i0GoqE3lUC&pg=PA43 |url-status=live }}</ref> Much of the Airport MAX extension used public right-of-way already owned either by the [[Oregon Department of Transportation]], the Port, or TriMet. This avoided displacing private property owners and limited the project's impact only to parking spaces at Gateway Transit Center and along Airport Way.<ref name="closer-to-reality"/><ref name="Take Shape"/> Bechtel began construction in June 1999 on a segment next to I-205 near the [[Columbia Slough]].<ref name="Take Shape"/> Bridgework over the freeway commenced the following December.<ref name="Construction detours">{{cite news |last=Tomlinson |first=Stuart |title=Construction detours bottleneck I-84 traffic |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=December 3, 1999 |page=C3}}</ref> To minimize lane closures, workers used a [[Cast in place concrete|cast-in-place concrete]] pouring method to extend the bridges' spans in {{convert|16|ft|m|1|adj=on}} increments.<ref name="Don't look up">{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Don't look up, but MAX bridge going in over I-205; strict safety measures are in place to protect motorists, and as the span is built, tracks will start going in on Airport Way |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=December 17, 1999 |page=A1}}</ref> Work progressed quickly along the freeway segment due to the existing I-205 busway right-of-way, which came with a tunnel from Gateway Transit Center to the freeway median.<ref name="Don't look up"/> Bechtel contracted track installation to [[Stacy and Witbeck]],<ref name="Airport special">{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Airport's MAX station will be special |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=July 10, 2000 |page=E4}}</ref> whose workers placed {{convert|3200|ft|m|1}} of rail per day to meet the project's deadline; tracks from Gateway Transit Center to the bridge over southbound I-205 were laid by July 2000.<ref name="Workers are Busy">{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Workers are busy making tracks toward Airport MAX 2001 deadline |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=June 12, 2000 |page=E4}}</ref> [[Hoffman Construction]] built the $8.4&nbsp;million [[Portland Airport station]],<ref name="Airport special"/> and local architecture firm [[ZGF Architects|Zimmer Gunsul Frasca]] (ZGF) designed the station's glass-roofed shelter to complement the airport terminal's drop-off [[Canopy (building)|canopy]], which ZGF also designed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gragg |first=Randy |title=Airport canopy works, but not as it could; the structure signals an end to the worst phase of construction but it could – and should – have been done better |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=May 28, 2000 |page=F4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Portland International Airport, MAX Light Rail Line and Station, Portland, Oregon |url=https://www.zgf.com/project/port-of-portland-portland-international-airport/ |publisher=[[ZGF Architects LLP]] <!--|pages=18–19--> |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111183707/https://www.zgf.com/project/port-of-portland-portland-international-airport/ |archive-date=January 11, 2019}}</ref> Bechtel began the end-to-end testing of the power, trains, and signals in March 2001, and TriMet took over the project that July to continue system testing and verify scheduling.<ref name="Airport special"/>

===Opening and extension to Beaverton===
[[File:Beaverton Transit Center 8204809868.jpg|thumb|right|A Red Line train at Beaverton Transit Center in 2004|alt=Passengers alighting from a Red Line train at the center platform of Beaverton Transit Center]]

In 2000, TriMet named the new MAX service to the airport the "Red Line" to differentiate it from the established service between [[Hillsboro, Oregon|Hillsboro]] and [[Gresham, Oregon|Gresham]], which it renamed the "Blue Line".<ref name="taut-dec2000">{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Systems News [regular news section] |magazine=[[Tramways & Urban Transit]] |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]] |date=December 2000 |page=471 |issn=1460-8324 |quote=With the light rail system due to expand to two services in September 2001, and three in 2004 (with all three using the same routing and stops in the city centre), Tri-Met has decided to assign route colours as follows ...}}</ref><ref name="Selinger2019"/>{{rp|83}} The Airport MAX extension opened on September 10, 2001.<ref name="oreg-2001-city-that-moves">{{cite news|last1=Oliver|first1=Gordon|title=Portland now 'the city that moves', mayor says [opening of MAX Red Line]|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=September 11, 2001|page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Gordon |title=Unknowns cloud PDX's future |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 21, 2001 |page=D1}}</ref> Celebrations scheduled for September 15–16 were canceled in the aftermath of the [[September 11 attacks]],<ref name="Route switches">{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Most Tri-Met fares rise Saturday, while route switches start Sept. 9 |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=August 31, 2001 |page=B1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=History cancels PDX party |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 15, 2001 |page=D8}}</ref> with the airport itself closed for three days due to a [[SCATANA|nationwide]] [[ground stop]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rose |first=Joseph |title=Even anti-noise advocates happy to hear airplanes again |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 17, 2001 |page=E6}}</ref> Upon opening, the Red Line operated from the airport to the [[Library/SW 9th Ave and Galleria/SW 10th Ave stations|Library and Galleria stations]] in downtown Portland, where its trains turned around at the 11th&nbsp;Avenue loop tracks.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Bill |title=Airport MAX rolls out Monday |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 7, 2001 |page=B1}}</ref> It replaced bus route 12–Sandy&nbsp;Boulevard as TriMet's only service to and from the airport,<ref name="Route switches"/><ref name="sep2001servicechanges">{{cite web |title=September 9th – Big Service Improvements |date=September 11, 2001 |publisher=TriMet |url=http://www.tri-met.org/sept2001changes.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011007142659/http://www.tri-met.org/sept2001changes.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2001 |access-date=November 26, 2018}}</ref> while the transit agency for [[Clark County, Washington]], [[C-Tran (Washington)|C-Tran]], rerouted its bus service from its connection at Gateway Transit Center to [[Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center]].<ref name="Route switches"/> Although tested during trial runs,<ref name="Airport special"/> TriMet opted to omit luggage racks from Red Line trains to maximize rider capacity.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=MAX Red Line runs: Every 15 minutes, seven days a week |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 11, 2001 |page=A12}}</ref> By November 2001, ridership had averaged 2,300 riders and peaked at 3,800 riders a day before the [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] holiday weekend. At the time, service had been using single light rail cars,<ref name="TAUT-2001Nov">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Systems News |date=November 2001 |magazine=Tramways & Urban Transit |page=430 |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing]] |issn=1460-8324}}</ref> but the influx of riders prompted TriMet to temporarily deploy two-car [[Train#United States|consists]], which it had not planned to do until 2006.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=About town: Riders keep Airport MAX busy Thanksgiving weekend |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 27, 2001 |page=D2}}</ref>

On September&nbsp;1, 2003, TriMet extended Red Line service farther west via the [[Westside MAX]] segment to [[Beaverton Transit Center]]. This was done in an effort to increase capacity between Gateway Transit Center and Beaverton and to provide a one-seat ride to the airport for the west side.<ref name="direct service Beaverton">{{cite news |last=Leeson |first=Fred |date=August 27, 2003 |title=MAX fares increase, direct service from Beaverton to PDX starts |newspaper=The Oregonian |page=D2}}</ref> Regular use of two-car trains on the line began in September 2005, when overcrowding prompted TriMet to change most [[MAX Yellow Line (TriMet)|Yellow Line]] service from two-car consists to single cars in order to convert the Red Line to two-car trains.<ref name="TAUT-2006Jul">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Systems News |date=July 2006 |magazine=Tramways & Urban Transit |page=276 |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |issn=1460-8324}}</ref> In March 2008, three trips in each direction during the morning and evening rush hours began operating between the {{stn|Hatfield Government Center}} and Portland Airport stations to provide further capacity on the Blue Line.<ref>{{cite news |title=TriMet extends rush-hour MAX trains between Hillsboro, PDX |newspaper=[[Beaverton Valley Times]] |date=March 3, 2008 |url=http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=120457811698504200 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511082439/http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=120457811698504200 |archive-date=May 11, 2008 |access-date=November 1, 2015}}</ref>

===Track improvements and extension to Hillsboro===
{{multiple image
| align             = left
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 220
| caption_align     = left
| image1            = Red Line track and I-205 bike path, February 2018.jpg
| caption1          = A single-track segment of the Airport MAX along I-205 in 2018. Since January 2024, this formerly [[single-track railway|bidirectional section of track]] is used solely by Portland Airport-bound trains.
| alt1              = refer to caption
| image2            = Gateway North MAX station on its first day of service, March 2024.jpg
| caption2          = Gateway North station on opening day, March 2024
| alt2              = The platform of Gateway North station showing the station's shelter and a MAX train pulling in, facing north
}}

In October 2017,<ref name="trimet-considering-expansion">{{cite news |last=Howard |first=John William |title=TriMet considering expansion of MAX Red Line to county fairgrounds |newspaper=[[Hillsboro Tribune]] |date=October 25, 2017 |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/ht/117-hillsboro-tribune-news/376594-262316-trimet-considering-expansion-of-max-red-line-to-county-fairgrounds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010164324/https://pamplinmedia.com/ht/117-hillsboro-tribune-news/376594-262316-trimet-considering-expansion-of-max-red-line-to-county-fairgrounds |archive-date=October 10, 2018 |access-date=August 22, 2018}}</ref> TriMet, citing system-wide delays caused by two [[single-track railway|single-track]] segments on the Airport MAX, announced the MAX Red Line Improvements Project,<ref name="red-line-imp-fs-mar20">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/redlineimprovements/pdf/fact-sheet-english.pdf |title=MAX Red Line Improvements Project |publisher=TriMet |access-date=Mar 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302143604/https://trimet.org/redlineimprovements/pdf/fact-sheet-english.pdf |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> later renamed "A Better Red".<ref name="better-red-factsheet-sep2021">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/betterred/pdf/fact-sheet-english.pdf |title=A Better Red |publisher=TriMet |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928180252/https://trimet.org/betterred/pdf/fact-sheet-english.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2021}}</ref> ''A Better Red'' proposed double-tracking a {{convert|2800|ft|m|adj=on}} section of track north of Gateway Transit Center and another {{convert|3800|ft|m|adj=on}} section next to Northeast Airport Way, just before the airport terminal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/betterred/pdf/better-red-JPACT-1-18-18.pdf |title=MAX Red Line Extension and Reliability Improvements Project, Project Briefing to JPACT |date=January 18, 2017 |publisher=TriMet |access-date=June 11, 2024 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023205033/http://trimet.org/betterred/pdf/better-red-JPACT-1-18-18.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> To qualify the project for federal funding, TriMet also announced extending Red Line service west to [[Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station|Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport station]] in Hillsboro, again using the Westside MAX segment;<ref name="trimet-considering-expansion"/> this would create a one-seat option from 10 additional stations to Portland International Airport. Additionally, TriMet had announced it would procure up to eight new light rail vehicles to accommodate the improvements,<ref name="red-line-imp-fs-mar20"/> but later purchased 30 new trains overall; four were part of ''A Better Red'', while the remaining 26 were replacements for the original MAX fleet, which are gradually being retired.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/max6/ |title=Meet the New MAX |publisher=TriMet |access-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-date=June 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606163816/https://trimet.org/max6/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Preliminary design work began in February 2018,<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |url=https://www.parametrix.com/who-we-are/news/2018/02/12/02.12.18-parametrix-to-complete-preliminary-design-for-max-red-line-extension |title=Parametrix to complete preliminary design for MAX Red Line extension |publisher=Parametrix |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=September 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913142552/https://www.parametrix.com/who-we-are/news/2018/02/12/02.12.18-parametrix-to-complete-preliminary-design-for-max-red-line-extension |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> and TriMet adopted a locally preferred alternative in April 2019.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=TriMet moves forward with plan to extend MAX Red Line into Hillsboro |publisher=[[KPTV]] |date=April 24, 2019 |url=https://www.kptv.com/news/trimet-moves-forward-with-plan-to-extend-max-red-line/article_31d325ec-66dd-11e9-b120-9fe435c6ad2d.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425062828/https://www.kptv.com/news/trimet-moves-forward-with-plan-to-extend-max-red-line/article_31d325ec-66dd-11e9-b120-9fe435c6ad2d.html |archive-date=April 25, 2019}}</ref> Final design was completed by engineering firm [[Parametrix (company)|Parametrix]] in early 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corselli |first=Andrew |title=TriMet Selects Parametrix to Finish 'A Better Red' |magazine=Railway Age |date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 13, 2020 |url=https://railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/trimet-selects-parametrix-to-finish-a-better-red/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310160256/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/trimet-selects-parametrix-to-finish-a-better-red/ |archive-date=March 10, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/betterred/design.htm |title=Design – A Better Red |publisher=TriMet |access-date=May 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526213644/https://trimet.org/betterred/design.htm |archive-date=May 26, 2021}}</ref> The design included two new bridges north of Gateway Transit Center to accommodate the second track and a new MAX platform just north of Gateway Transit Center called "[[Gateway North station|Gateway North]]".<ref name="better-red-factsheet-sep2021"/> The project cost $215&nbsp;million.<ref name="new-era">{{cite news |last=Altstadt |first=Roberta |title=TriMet, FTA and partners celebrate a new era for the MAX Red Line |date=August 28, 2024 |publisher=TriMet |url=https://news.trimet.org/2024/08/trimet-fta-and-partners-celebrate-a-new-era-for-the-max-red-line/ |access-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-date=September 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906224508/https://news.trimet.org/2024/08/trimet-fta-and-partners-celebrate-a-new-era-for-the-max-red-line/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2020, the FTA announced $99.99&nbsp;million for the project through the Capital Investment Grants program.<ref>{{cite news |last=Corselli |first=Andrew |title=FTA Announces $891MM in Funding |magazine=[[Railway Age]] |date=May 29, 2020 |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/fta-announces-891mm-in-funding/ |access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529190443/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/fta-announces-891mm-in-funding/ |archive-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/05/29/trimet-gets-100m-from-feds-for-red-line-extension.html |last=Danko |first=Pete |title=TriMet gets $100M from feds for MAX Red Line project |newspaper=Portland Business Journal |date=May 29, 2020 |access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529190834/https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/05/29/trimet-gets-100m-from-feds-for-red-line-extension.html |archive-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref> $104&nbsp;million from TriMet, $8.9&nbsp;million from Metro, and $2.2&nbsp;million from the Port covered the local-matching funds.<ref name="new-era"/>

The project broke ground on September 28, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=Altstadt |first=Roberta |title=(VIDEO) FTA, TriMet and partners officially break ground on 'A Better Red' MAX extension and improvement project |date=September 29, 2021 |publisher=TriMet |url=https://news.trimet.org/2021/09/fta-trimet-and-partners-officially-break-ground-on-a-better-red-max-extension-and-improvement-project/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607214007/https://news.trimet.org/2021/09/fta-trimet-and-partners-officially-break-ground-on-a-better-red-max-extension-and-improvement-project/ |url-status=live }}</ref> From April 2–9, 2022,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/alerts/redline/index.htm |title=A Better Red MAX disruption April 2–9 |publisher=TriMet |access-date=April 4, 2022 |archive-date=April 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405000813/http://trimet.org/alerts/redline/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=TriMet |user=trimet |number=1513172850596724743 |title=MAX Red Line has resumed normal service. Thank you for your patience while we completed this necessary work for the Better Red project. Here are some photos from our work over the past week. |access-date=April 10, 2022}}</ref> Red Line service was suspended to make way for construction, and [[shuttle bus]]es operated between Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport.<ref>{{cite news |last=Campbell |first=Sam |title=MAX Red Line service halted during weeklong construction |publisher=[[KOIN]] |date=April 1, 2022 |url=https://www.koin.com/news/traffic/max-red-line-service-to-halt-during-weeklong-construction/ |access-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403003408/https://www.koin.com/news/traffic/max-red-line-service-to-halt-during-weeklong-construction/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Villanueva |first=Mia |title=Temporary MAX Red Line closure starts Saturday |publisher=KPTV |date=April 1, 2022 |url=https://www.kptv.com/2022/04/01/temporary-max-red-line-closure-starts-saturday/ |access-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401203923/https://www.kptv.com/2022/04/01/temporary-max-red-line-closure-starts-saturday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The project was completed in March 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=Luczak |first=Marybeth |title=TriMet's 'A Better Red' Receiving $99.1MM CIG Grant |magazine=Railway Age |date=September 27, 2021 |url=https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/trimets-a-better-red-receiving-99-1mm-cig-grant/ |access-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929213423/https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/trimets-a-better-red-receiving-99-1mm-cig-grant/ |archive-date=September 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--no by line; staff writer(s)--> |title=FTA, TriMet and partners officially break ground on 'A Better Red' MAX extension and improvement project |magazine=Mass Transit |date=September 29, 2021 |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/press-release/21240284/trimet-fta-trimet-and-partners-officially-break-ground-on-a-better-red-max-extension-and-improvement-project |access-date=December 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930170321/https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/press-release/21240284/trimet-fta-trimet-and-partners-officially-break-ground-on-a-better-red-max-extension-and-improvement-project |archive-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>

From June 18 to October 21, 2023, TriMet suspended MAX service between Gateway Transit Center and the airport to allow for construction of the second track between the airport and Mount Hood Ave.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stein |first=Rosemarie |title=TriMet shuts down MAX Red Line to PDX for more than 4 months beginning Sunday |date=June 14, 2023 |newspaper=The Oregonian |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2023/06/trimet-shuts-down-max-red-line-to-pdx-for-more-than-4-months-beginning-sunday.html |access-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614170346/https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2023/06/trimet-shuts-down-max-red-line-to-pdx-for-more-than-4-months-beginning-sunday.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Graf |first=Tyler |title=TriMet's A Better Red project requires 126-day shutdown of MAX Red Line starting this weekend |date=June 12, 2023 |publisher=TriMet |url=https://news.trimet.org/2023/06/trimets-a-better-red-project-requires-126-day-shutdown-of-max-red-line-starting-this-weekend/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614164833/https://news.trimet.org/2023/06/trimets-a-better-red-project-requires-126-day-shutdown-of-max-red-line-starting-this-weekend/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

From January 14 to March 3, 2024, TriMet suspended MAX Red, Blue and Green Line service between NE 7th and Gateway Transit Center.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MAX Improvements Project |url=https://trimet.org/alerts/2024/index.htm |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=trimet.org |language=en-US |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225092309/https://trimet.org/alerts/2024/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Inbound Red Line trains from PDX began serving Gateway North on March 4, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLawhorn |first=Jennifer |date=February 16, 2024 |title=TriMet Gateway North MAX Station Opens in March |url=https://www.rtands.com/passenger/trimet-gateway-north-max-station-opens-in-march/ |access-date=25 February 2024 |website=Railway Track & Structures |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225092309/https://www.rtands.com/passenger/trimet-gateway-north-max-station-opens-in-march/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These projects eliminated the last bidirectional single-track sections on the MAX system.<ref name="ptj2024-2">{{Cite news |last=McKinney |first=Kevin |date=May 2024 |title=Rush Hour [transit news section] |volume=48 |pages=68–69 |work=[[Passenger Train Journal]] |publisher=White River Productions, Inc. |issue=2 – Second quarter 2024 |issn=0160-6913}}</ref>

The Red Line extension to Hillsboro began service on August 25, 2024 with a soft launch, with the full launch beginning on August 28. Fair Complex/Hillsboro Airport station was also renamed to [[Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station]].<ref name="KOIN-2024aug26">{{cite news |last1=Plante |first1=Amiee |last2=Salk |first2=Ariel |title=Major changes coming to MAX, bus service as TriMet completes Hillsboro Airport expansion |url=https://www.koin.com/news/trimet-max-a-better-red-line-expansion-beaverton-hillsboro-airport/ |access-date=August 28, 2024 |publisher=[[KOIN]] |date=August 26, 2024 |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827082406/https://www.koin.com/news/trimet-max-a-better-red-line-expansion-beaverton-hillsboro-airport/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="KGW-2024aug28">{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Luisa |title=TriMet's MAX Red Line from PDX airport to Hillsboro officially opens |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/trimet-max-red-line-extension-pdx-hillsboro/283-2e35985c-a21b-405f-9198-8068178cc446 |access-date=August 28, 2024 |publisher=[[KGW]] |date=August 28, 2024}}</ref> On the [[destination sign]]s of westbound trains, where space is limited, the new destination is shown as "HIO/Fairgnd", HIO being the [[International Air Transport Association]] code for Hillsboro Airport.<ref name="ptj2024-4">{{Cite news |last=McKinney |first=Kevin |date=November 2024 |title=Rush Hour [transit news section] |volume=48 |pages=67–68 |work=[[Passenger Train Journal]] |publisher=White River Productions, Inc. |issue=4 – Fourth quarter 2024 |issn=0160-6913}}</ref> The opposite end of the Red Line continues to be shown simply as "Airport" (referring to Portland International) on the trains' destination signs.<ref name="ptj2024-4" />

==Route==
{{See also|MAX Blue Line#Route}}
[[File:MAX Around The Curve (6161753154).jpg|thumb|right|alt=refer to caption|An airport-bound MAX train running above I-205, pictured in 2011]]

The Red Line serves the {{convert|5.5|mi|km|1|adj=mid|-long}} Airport MAX segment.{{efn|name=length}} This segment begins just south of Gateway Transit Center where it branches from the Eastside MAX segment, makes a 180-degree loop, and heads north along the east side of the I-205 freeway.<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016"/> Near [[Rocky Butte]], it enters a tunnel beneath the northbound lanes of the freeway and emerges along the median.<ref name="Take Shape"/> The line then crosses over the southbound lanes of I-205 just south of the Columbia Slough and proceeds northwest along the south side of Cascade Parkway.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/ride/stop.html?stop_id=10575 |title=Stop ID 10575 – Cascades MAX Station |publisher=TriMet |access-date=September 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907221245/https://trimet.org/ride/stop.html?stop_id=10575 |archive-date=September 7, 2018}}</ref> It follows this road then crosses it just before Mount Hood Ave station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/ride/stop.html?stop_id=10577 |title=Stop ID 10577 – Mt Hood MAX Station |publisher=TriMet |access-date=September 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509082611/http://trimet.org/ride/stop.html?stop_id=10577 |archive-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref> The line then continues northwest along the south side of Airport Way until it reaches its terminus at Portland Airport station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/ride/stop.html?stop_id=10579 |title=Stop ID 10579 – Portland Int'l Airport MAX Station |publisher=TriMet |access-date=September 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509053711/http://trimet.org/ride/stop.html?stop_id=10579 |archive-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>

Beyond the Airport MAX, the Red Line serves parts of the Westside and Eastside MAX segments, where it interlines with the Blue Line from Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station to Gateway Transit Center and the [[MAX Green Line|Green Line]] from [[Rose Quarter Transit Center]] to Gateway Transit Center.<ref name="Trimet map">{{cite map |url=https://trimet.org/maps/pdf/trimetsystem.pdf |title=TriMet System map |publisher=TriMet |access-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210194105/https://trimet.org/maps/pdf/trimetsystem.pdf |archive-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref>

{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=900|frame-height=450|frame-lat=45.520|frame-long=-122.708|zoom=11|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/MAX Light Rail/Red Line}}|text=A geographic map of the MAX Red Line (in red) relative to the rest of the network (in black) with icons marking the line's termini.{{efn|The official system schematic can be viewed on the TriMet website.<ref name="trimet-rail-system">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/maps/img/railsystem.png |title=TriMet Rail System |publisher=TriMet |access-date=2024-05-05 |archive-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729002419/https://trimet.org/maps/img/railsystem.png |url-status=live }}</ref>}}}}

===Stations===
{{Further|topic=the stations, including TriMet bus connections|List of MAX Light Rail stations}}
[[File:Portland Airport MAX station May 2024.jpg|thumb|right|Portland Airport station, the Red Line's eastern terminus, pictured in 2024|alt=The platform of Portland Airport station; a two-car train awaits passengers to board with it doors open]]

The Airport MAX project added four stations to the MAX system: Portland Airport, Mount Hood Ave, {{stn|Cascades}}, and Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center.<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016"/> In March 2024, Gateway North station was added as part of ''A Better Red''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Graf |first=Tyler |title=TriMet celebrates first new MAX station in 9 years following A Better Red construction near Gateway |date=March 4, 2024 |publisher=TriMet |url=https://news.trimet.org/2024/03/trimet-celebrates-first-new-max-station-in-9-years-following-a-better-red-construction-near-gateway/ |access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref> The Red Line serves these five stations in addition to 32 others, a total of 37 stations. It shares the 32 stations, from Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station to Gateway Transit Center, with the Blue Line, of which eight stations, from Rose Quarter Transit Center to Gateway Transit Center, are additionally shared with the Green Line.

Riders can transfer from the [[Pioneer Square stations (TriMet)|Pioneer Square stations]] to the Green, [[MAX Orange Line (TriMet)|Orange]], and [[MAX Yellow Line (TriMet)|Yellow]] lines at the [[Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th and Pioneer Place/SW 5th stations|Pioneer Courthouse and Pioneer Place stations]]. Riders can also transfer from [[Rose Quarter Transit Center]] to the Yellow Line at [[Rose Quarter Transit Center|Interstate/Rose Quarter station]].<ref name="trimet-rail-system" /> The Library and Galleria, [[Convention Center station (TriMet)|Convention Center]], and {{stn|NE 7th Ave}} stations connect with the [[Portland Streetcar]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://portlandstreetcar.org/schedules |title=Maps + Schedules – Portland Streetcar |publisher=Portland Streetcar |access-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210194359/https://portlandstreetcar.org/schedules |archive-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> and Beaverton Transit Center connects with [[WES Commuter Rail]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/wes/index.htm |title=WES Commuter Rail |publisher=TriMet |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210194435/https://trimet.org/wes/index.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> Some stations provide connections with local and [[intercity bus service]]s.<ref name="trimet-rail-system" />

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Key
|-
! scope="col" | Icon
! scope="col" | Purpose
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#ddffdd" | {{dagger|alt=current terminus}}
| [[Train station#Terminus|Terminus]]
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD" | {{right-arrow|alt=Eastbound only}}
| Portland Airport-bound travel only
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#D0E7FF" | ←
| Hillsboro-bound travel only
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of MAX Red Line stations
|-
! scope="col" width="30%" | Station
! scope="col" | Location
! scope="col" data-sort-type="usLongDate" | Began service
! scope="col" class="unsortable" width="12%" | Line transfers<ref name="trimet-rail-system" />
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes<ref name="trimet-rail-system" /><ref name="Transit Mall map">{{cite map |url=https://trimet.org/maps/pdf/citycenter.pdf |title=Portland City Center and Transit Mall |publisher=TriMet |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328191254/https://trimet.org/maps/pdf/citycenter.pdf |archive-date=March 28, 2020}}</ref>{{efn|name=connections|This list of service connections excludes TriMet bus connections. For a complete list that includes all transfers, see: [[List of MAX Light Rail stations]].}}
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#ddffdd" | {{stn|Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds}}{{dagger|alt=terminus}}
| rowspan="5" align="center" | [[Hillsboro, Oregon|Hillsboro]]
| rowspan="10" align="center" | {{dts|2024|08|25}}<ref name="KOIN-2024aug26" /><ref name="KGW-2024aug28" />
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| [[MAX Blue Line|Blue Line]] continues to {{stn|Hatfield Government Center}} in downtown [[Hillsboro, Oregon|Hillsboro]]
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Hawthorn Farm}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | [[Orenco station (TriMet)|Orenco]]
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| Connects with [[North Hillsboro Link]]
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Quatama}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | [[Willow Creek Transit Center|Willow Creek/SW 185th Ave Transit Center]]
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| Connects with [[Columbia County Rider|CC Rider]], [[North Hillsboro Link]]
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Elmonica/SW 170th Ave}}
| rowspan="7" align="center" | [[Beaverton, Oregon|Beaverton]]
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| Near Elmonica maintenance facility
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Merlo Rd/SW 158th Ave}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Beaverton Creek}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Millikan Way}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Beaverton Central}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | [[Beaverton Transit Center]]
| rowspan="6" align="center" | {{dts|2003|09|01}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| Connects with [[WES Commuter Rail]]
|-
| scope="row" | [[Sunset Transit Center]]
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| Connects with [[Oregon POINT|POINT]], [[Tillamook County Transportation District|TCTD]]
|-
| scope="row" | [[Washington Park station (TriMet)|Washington Park]]
| rowspan="28" align="center" | [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| Connects with Washington Park Free Shuttle
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson St}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| —
|-
| style="background-color:#CCCCCC" | {{stn|Kings Hill/SW Salmon St}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| style="background-color:#CCCCCC" | Closed on {{dts|2020|03|01}}<ref name="station-closures-2020">{{cite news |last=Altstadt |first=Roberta |title=TriMet to make MAX service more efficient with closure of three stations in Downtown Portland in March 2020 |publisher=TriMet |date=July 24, 2019 |url=http://news.trimet.org/2019/07/trimet-to-make-max-service-more-efficient-with-closure-of-three-stations-in-downtown-portland-in-march-2020/ |access-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-date=July 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724212820/http://news.trimet.org/2019/07/trimet-to-make-max-service-more-efficient-with-closure-of-three-stations-in-downtown-portland-in-march-2020/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Providence Park}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD" | [[Library/SW 9th Ave and Galleria/SW 10th Ave stations|Library/SW 9th Ave]]{{right-arrow|alt=Eastbound only}}
| rowspan="19" align="center" | {{dts|2001|09|10}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| rowspan="2" | Connects with [[Portland Streetcar]]
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#D0E7FF" | [[Library/SW 9th Ave and Galleria/SW 10th Ave stations|Galleria/SW 10th Ave]]←
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD" | [[Pioneer Square stations (TriMet)|Pioneer Square South]]{{right-arrow|alt=Eastbound only}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Orange}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Yellow}}
| rowspan="2" | Connects with [[Portland Transit Mall]]
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#D0E7FF" | [[Pioneer Square stations (TriMet)|Pioneer Square North]]←
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Orange}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Yellow}}
|-
| style="background-color:#CCCCCC" | [[Mall/SW 4th Ave and Mall/SW 5th Ave stations|Mall/SW 4th Ave]]→
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Orange}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Yellow}}
| style="background-color:#CCCCCC"; rowspan=2 | Closed on {{dts|2020|03|01}}<ref name="station-closures-2020"/>
|-
| style="background-color:#CCCCCC" | [[Mall/SW 4th Ave and Mall/SW 5th Ave stations|Mall/SW 5th Ave]]←
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Orange}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Yellow}}
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD" | [[Yamhill District and Morrison/SW 3rd Ave stations|Yamhill District]]{{right-arrow|alt=Eastbound only}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| rowspan="2" | —
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#D0E7FF" | [[Yamhill District and Morrison/SW 3rd Ave stations|Morrison/SW 3rd Ave]]←
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Oak St/SW 1st Ave}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Skidmore Fountain}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| Closing {{dts|2025|08}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Speeding Up MAX Through Downtown: Skidmore Fountain MAX Station closing August 2025|url=https://trimet.org/maxdowntown/ |publisher=TriMet |date=May 2024 |accessdate=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826130255/https://trimet.org/maxdowntown/ |archive-date=August 26, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Old Town/Chinatown}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | [[Rose Quarter Transit Center]]
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Yellow}}
| [[MAX Green Line|Green Line]] continues to [[PSU South stations]] on the [[Portland Transit Mall]]; connects with [[C-Tran (Washington)|C-Tran]]
|-
| scope="row" | [[Convention Center station (TriMet)|Convention Center]]
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}
| Connects with [[Portland Streetcar]]
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|NE 7th Ave}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}
| Connects with [[Portland Streetcar]]
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Lloyd Center/NE 11th Ave}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|NE 60th Ave}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|NE 82nd Ave}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}
| —
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD" | [[Gateway Transit Center (TriMet)|Gateway/NE 99th Ave Transit Center]]{{right-arrow|alt=Eastbound only}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}
| rowspan="2" | [[MAX Blue Line|Blue Line]] continues to {{stn|Cleveland Ave}} in [[Gresham, Oregon|Gresham]]; [[MAX Green Line|Green Line]] continues to [[Clackamas Town Center Transit Center]]; connects with [[Columbia Area Transit]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://catransit.org/service-routes/cascade-locks-portland/ |title=Cascade Locks & Portland – CAT |publisher=[[Columbia Area Transit]] |access-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916201950/http://catransit.org/service-routes/cascade-locks-portland/ |archive-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#D0E7FF" | {{stn|Gateway North}}←
| align="center" | {{dts|2024|03|04}}
| {{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Blue}}&nbsp;{{ric|size=18px|TriMet|Green}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center]]
| rowspan="4" align="center" | {{dts|2001|09|10}}
| —
| Connects with [[C-Tran (Washington)|C-Tran]]
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Cascades}}
| —
| —
|-
| scope="row" | {{stn|Mt Hood Ave}}
| —
| —
|-
| scope="row" style="background-color:#ddffdd" | {{stn|Portland Airport}}{{dagger|alt=terminus}}
| —
| Connects with [[C-Tran (Washington)|C-Tran]]
|}

==Service==

TriMet designates the Red Line as a "Frequent Service" route.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/frequentservice.htm |title=Frequent Service |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109065214/https://trimet.org/schedules/frequentservice.htm}}</ref> Red Line trains operate from 3:20&nbsp;am to 1:40&nbsp;am the next day with [[headway]]s ranging from 30&nbsp;minutes during the early mornings and late evenings to 15&nbsp;minutes during peak hours. End-to-end travel from Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds station to Portland Airport station takes just over one hour.<ref name="MAX Red Line Schedules">MAX Red Line schedules:
* For weekday, to Portland City Center and Hillsboro: {{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/w/t1090_1.pdf |title=MAX Red Line, Weekday To Portland City Center and Hillsboro |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121043412/https://trimet.org/schedules/w/t1090_1.pdf |url-status=live }}
* For weekday, to Portland City Center and Airport: {{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/w/t1090_0.pdf |title=MAX Red Line, Weekday To Portland City Center and Airport |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121043523/https://trimet.org/schedules/w/t1090_0.pdf |url-status=live }}
* For Saturday, to Portland City Center and Hillsboro: {{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/s/t1090_1.pdf |title=MAX Red Line, Saturday To Portland City Center and Hillsboro |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121043815/https://trimet.org/schedules/s/t1090_1.pdf |url-status=live }}
* For Saturday, to Portland City Center and Airport: {{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/s/t1090_0.pdf |title=MAX Red Line, Saturday To Portland City Center and Airport |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121043905/https://trimet.org/schedules/s/t1090_0.pdf |url-status=live }}
* For Sunday, to Portland City Center and Hillsboro: {{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/h/t1090_1.pdf |title=MAX Red Line, Sunday To Portland City Center and Hillsboro |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121044016/https://trimet.org/schedules/h/t1090_1.pdf |url-status=live }}
* For Sunday, to Portland City Center and Airport: {{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/h/t1090_0.pdf |title=MAX Red Line, Sunday To Portland City Center and Airport |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121044108/https://trimet.org/schedules/h/t1090_0.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

On September 2, 2018, TriMet reintroduced bus service to the airport, which had been replaced by the Red Line in 2001, with route 272–PDX Night Bus. Service ran in the late night and early morning hours when the Red Line was not operating. It traveled from the airport via Airport Way and 82nd Avenue to a local bus stop near Southeast 80th and Washington streets.<ref name="272-night-bus">{{cite news |last=Theen |first=Andrew |title=New TriMet bus, MAX additions create all-night service to PDX |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=August 30, 2018 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/expo/news/erry-2018/08/7c26bc6c725773/trimet-brings-24-hour-transit.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916190508/https://www.oregonlive.com/expo/news/erry-2018/08/7c26bc6c725773/trimet-brings-24-hour-transit.html |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/r272.htm |title=272–PDX Night Bus |publisher=TriMet |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111172354/https://trimet.org/schedules/r272.htm |archive-date=January 11, 2019}}</ref> Route 272 was suspended on April 5, 2020, as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Hanson |first=Nate |title=TriMet to alter schedules for buses, trains after ridership drops 47% during coronavirus pandemic |publisher=[[KGW]] |date=March 27, 2020 |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/trimet-to-alter-schedule-for-buses-trains-after-ridership-drops-47-during-coronavirus-pandemic/283-e896fc8c-0ff9-453d-a3e7-72e3d097b870 |access-date=April 25, 2021 |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425200316/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/trimet-to-alter-schedule-for-buses-trains-after-ridership-drops-47-during-coronavirus-pandemic/283-e896fc8c-0ff9-453d-a3e7-72e3d097b870 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was reinstated on August 25, 2024, as route 292–Red Bus.<ref name="oreg-2024aug26">{{cite news |last1=Kish |first1=Matthew |title=TriMet announces sweeping changes to light rail, bus service |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2024/08/trimet-announces-sweeping-changes-to-light-rail-bus-service.html |access-date=November 2, 2024 |work=The Oregonian |date=August 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/betterbus/servicechanges-fy25august.htm |title=August ’24 Transit Service Changes |publisher=TriMet |access-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828154041/https://trimet.org/betterbus/servicechanges-fy25august.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Route 292 travels a longer route than its predecessor with service through [[Southeast Portland, Oregon|Southeast Portland]] and downtown, terminating at [[Goose Hollow/SW Jefferson St station]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/schedules/r292.htm |title=292–Red Bus |publisher=TriMet |access-date=November 20, 2024 |archive-date=October 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004083425/https://trimet.org/schedules/r292.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Ridership===

The Red Line averaged 17,390 riders on weekdays in September 2024, the second busiest after the Blue Line.<ref name="sep-2024-perf-report"/> One year after opening, the line averaged 2,800 daily riders at the airport, ahead of TriMet's first-year projections of 2,300.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leeson |first=Fred |title=Air travelers find MAX a deal |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 9, 2002 |page=E1}}</ref> The Red Line's extension to Beaverton Transit Center in 2003 increased weekday ridership by 49&nbsp;percent along the Westside MAX corridor and six percent systemwide.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rivera |first=Dylan |title=MAX: More than the sum of its parts |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=September 6, 2009}}</ref>

[[IKEA]]'s opening in July 2007 helped attract more riders to Cascade Station shopping center, which had been considered a failed [[planned community|planned development]] following the economic recession caused by the September&nbsp;11 attacks.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mayer |first=James |title=Portland blinked and Ikea came |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=July 19, 2007 |page=B1}}</ref> In 2008, Cascades MAX station recorded an eight-fold increase in traffic, from 250 passengers per week to 2,000,<ref>{{cite news |last=Ballenger |first=Tara |title=Cascade Station: Ikea to the rescue |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=July 27, 2008 |page=S5}}</ref> and this figure had further grown to 6,000 by 2010.<ref>{{cite news |last=Griffin |first=Anna |title=At Cascade Station, it takes a mall, not a village, to thrive |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=May 19, 2010}}</ref> The Red Line's annual ridership peaked at just over nine million passengers in 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bipartisanpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/BPC-Infrastructure-Portland-MAX-Red-Line.pdf |title=Infrastructure Case Study: Portland Airport MAX Red Line |publisher=Bipartisan Policy Center |date=October 2016 |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223621/http://bipartisanpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/BPC-Infrastructure-Portland-MAX-Red-Line.pdf |archive-date=September 13, 2018}}</ref> and it continued to fall over the next decade as part of a system-wide decline attributed to crime and rising housing costs in the Portland area.<ref name="Safe">{{cite news |last=Keizur |first=Christopher |title=Safe travels? |work=Portland Tribune |url=https://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/362854-242841-safe-travels |date=June 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804050017/https://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/362854-242841-safe-travels |archive-date=August 4, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Zielinski |first=Alex |title=You Know Portland's Transportation Woes Have Reached a Breaking Point When... |work=[[Portland Mercury]] |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2018/05/18/19925551/you-know-portlands-transportation-woes-have-reached-a-breaking-point-when |date=May 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804045911/https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2018/05/18/19925551/you-know-portlands-transportation-woes-have-reached-a-breaking-point-when |archive-date=August 4, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref> From 8.2&nbsp;million boardings in 2012, 7.4&nbsp;million boardings were recorded in 2015.<ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2016"/><ref name="max-red-line-factsheet-2012">{{cite web |url=https://trimet.org/pdfs/history/railfactsheetairport.pdf |title=Airport MAX: Red Line |date=August 2012 |publisher=TriMet |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022235/https://trimet.org/pdfs/history/railfactsheetairport.pdf |archive-date=September 14, 2018}}</ref>

The COVID-19 pandemic, which [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public transport|impacted public transit ridership globally]], further exacerbated the line's—and TriMet's overall—ridership decline. From an average 22,530 weekday riders in September 2019,<ref name="sep-2019-perf-report">{{cite web |title=September 2019 Monthly Performance Report |url=https://trimet.org/about/pdf/2019/2019-09.pdf |publisher=[[TriMet]] |access-date=January 9, 2020 |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426205623/https://trimet.org/about/pdf/2019/2019-09.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> TriMet recorded just 6,500 riders in April 2020 following [[COVID-19 in Oregon|local stay-at-home orders]].<ref name="apr-2020-perf-report">{{cite web |title=April 2020 Monthly Performance Report |url=https://trimet.org/about/pdf/2020/Apr20%20MPR.pdf |publisher=[[TriMet]] |access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref>

==Explanatory notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Oregon|Trains}}
* {{Commons category-inline|MAX Red Line}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://trimet.org/schedules/maxredline.htm|title=MAX Red Line|publisher=[[TriMet]]}}

{{Portland Transit}}

{{featured article}}

[[Category:MAX Red Line| ]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Airport rail links in the United States|Portland]]
[[Category:MAX Light Rail|Red Line]]
[[Category:Rail lines in Oregon]]
[[Category:Railway lines in highway medians]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 2001]]