1998•Proceedings of the 1998 Rapid Transit ConferenceAmerican Public Transportation AssociationAmerican Public Transit AssociationRequires access
EMBEDDED TIE TRACK ON THE PORTLAND WESTSIDE LIGHT RAIL TUNNEL PROJECT
M Grodner, Shizuko Yanagisawa
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Abstract
In 1989, the local jurisdictions surrounding Portland developed the Westside Corridor Project. The project extends Portland's Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) light rail system for 18 miles (29 km) from downtown Portland, west through Beaverton, to Hillsboro. Twin tunnels three miles (4.8 km)long through the west hills were chosen as the best alternative rather than a surface alignment through the narrow Sunset Highway canyon. Two track systems were designed for the light rail tunnels: direct fixation (DF) fasteners on concrete plinths and concrete embedded precast ties. The system used is a variation of the embedded tie known as the dual block tie low vibration track (LVT) system. This paper discusses the project's experience with the design and construction of a track system that is relatively new in the United States.