(Portland, OR)  --  State auditors say TriMet has seen a dropoff over the past few years in getting preventive-maintenance projects completed in a timely fashion.  In a new report released by the Secretary of State's Office, auditors say the percentage of track maintenance completed on time by the transit agency has fallen from about 92 percent to about 53 percent, and the on-time rate for signal maintenance declined from 100 percent to about 72 percent.  The audit also shows that many TriMet and MAX operators aren't being checked by their supervisors because their shifts start in the field.  In response to the audit, TriMet says it has made progress in improving safety but has areas it needs to improve.