Portland has nearly doubled its existing streetcar line with a new track running across the Willamette, and down one of the busier roads on the inner east side.
Before cutting the ribbon on the new line, Mayor Sam Adams said he was pleased to revive a Portland tradition.
"Sixty-four years, ten hours was the last time a streetcar in the city of Portland crossed the Broadway Bridge," Adams told the crowd, "until today."
Adams mentioned that the plan was for one thousand new housing units along the Central Loop line extension. He says that goal has already been exceeded.
The Clackamas company that makes Portland's streetcars, United Streetcar, is several months behind on delivery of the cars needed to accommodate the new line. Streetcar officials say that's not unusual in the industry, and they're satisfied with their supplier's work.
