PORTLAND, Ore. — TriMet has warned riders that traffic will be impacted Friday and Saturday as President Joe Biden visits Portland. Anyone planning to take the MAX or bus should plan extra time for trips and anticipate some delays.
The MAX Blue and Red lines will be disrupted in downtown Portland through as late as 6 p.m. on Saturday, according to TriMet. Service for MAX Green, Orange and Yellow lines will be disrupted downtown from noon Friday through 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The MAX Red Line between Portland International Airport and Gateway Transit Center is also expected to see major delays Friday between 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Delays may also occur on the east side during the president's visit as police will have MAX trains, buses and cars stop whenever the president or his motorcade is nearby, TriMet added.
People who need to take the bus around downtown Portland can also expect disruptions starting around 5 p.m. on Friday. TriMet said bus lines will be detoured as needed, but riders should plan for extra travel time and delays.
Some streets around the downtown area are currently closed ahead of the president's visit.
Taylor Street and Yamhill Street are closed from Broadway to 4th Avenue. And 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue are closed from Salmon Street to Morrison Street.
These road closures are expected to remain in place until 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The Morrison Bridge will be closed this weekend for an ongoing paint project that's unrelated to Biden's visit, according to Multnomah County. The bridge will be closed Oct. 14-17 between 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. It will close again during the same time window between Oct. 21-24 from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Anyone planning to take the bridge will need to find alternative routes.