PORTLAND, Ore. — If any Portland Thorns FC fans are planning on using the MAX to get to Sunday's game, then it's best to plan ahead. The Thorns' National Women's Soccer League semifinal against New Jersey/New York Gotham FC will kick off at 4 p.m. at Providence Park.
On Nov. 5, the Washington Park MAX Station will be closed due to a full-scale emergency response exercise, according to TriMet. The MAX Blue and Red lines will be disrupted for the entire day.
The drill will include TriMet Staff, as well as fire, medical and police personnel, to prepare for two scenarios: an active attacker and a hazardous materials incident.
“There is no known threat to TriMet’s system, but it is vital that we as a public transit provider and our regional first responders remain vigilant and prepared for a coordinated response in the event that ever changes,” said Andrew Wilson, TriMet's executive director of safety and security in a press release. “We appreciate our riders for their understanding about the disruption to our service for the day, as this exercise is an important part of our comprehensive safety and security efforts and preparedness.”
MAX Red Line trains will run only between Gateway Transit Center and Portland International Airport, TriMet said. Shuttle buses will run between Sunset Transit Center and Providence Park stations. Trains and shuttle buses will run on a regular Sunday frequency every 15 minutes.
TriMet advises that if you're planning on riding the red or blue lines Sunday, plan an extra 15 to 30 minutes. The agency also suggests using bus lines 20-Burnside/Stark and 58-Canyon Road to avoid the disruptions.
For travelers heading to the Portland International Airport, use the blue or green line trains to reach Gateway Transit Center, then transfer to red line trains.