Funding

The combined I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project (which includes both the Portland Mall segment and the I-205 segment) is projected to cost about $557 million. Federal grants—which would have been spent elsewhere in the nation if not in Portland—will pay for 60 percent of project costs. State and local project partners will fund the balance.

I-205/Portland Mall Project Funding Sources (in millions)
	Federal (60%)	$334.4 million
	City of Portland/Portland Department of Transportation (parking meters, Local Improvement District)	$62.3 million
	Regional transportation funds	$48.5 million
	TriMet	$43.3 million
	Clackamas County	$35.3 million
	Oregon Department of Transportation	$23 million
	Preliminary engineering	$7.4 million
	Private (in-kind land donation)	$3.2 million
	Total (rounded)	$557.4 million

Operating costs

In 2003, the Oregon Legislature approved an increase to the TriMet payroll tax rate that will be directed to pay for new transit service. Those funds will pay for the operation of the new MAX line.