[IMAGE]TriMetGreenLineOpeningThomasNgoFull.jpg[/IMAGE]TriMet's MAX Green Line opened to the public on Saturday, connecting three counties by light rail. TriMet's fifth MAX line extends from downtown Portland to Clackamas County. More than 40,000 trips were taken on the new Green Line on opening day.

Construction of the 8.3-mile line began in early 2007 and adds a second light rail alignment through downtown Portland along 5th and 6th avenues between Union Station and Portland State University, and new tracks along I-205 to Clackamas Town Center.

The project was built on time and on budget. The MAX system now expands to a 52-mile system with 84 stations.

The $575.7 million project was built with 60 percent federal funds, and the balance funded by the city of Portland, Metro, TriMet, Clackamas County and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Part of the project included revitalizing the downtown Portland Transit Mall with new art, shelters and a more vibrant retail environment. The city of Portland and TriMet are also creating a fund for ongoing maintenance, security and programming activities on the Mall.