Preliminary design work began in February 2018. The following month, the Hillsboro City Council authorized funds to study the effects of the extension on the existing MAX at-grade crossing at Southwest 185th Avenue. This may pave the way for grade separation in the future. TriMet adopted a locally preferred alternative in April 2019, allowing the agency to submit the plan to the FTA and request funding. On May 29, 2020, the FTA announced $99.99 million in funding for the project through the Capital Investment Grants program. Final design is expected to be completed in 2021. Construction is targeted to begin that same year and finish by 2024.