An important component of moving around the city is a little over budget, but considering the complexity of the downtown project, 10% over is not much. Here’s hoping it gets online close to the due date.
RT line jumps budget
New $5 million overrun on depot extension
By Tony Bizjak - Bee Staff WriterPublished 12:00 am PST Monday, November 13, 2006
Regional Transit's light-rail expansion to the downtown Amtrak depot has gone over budget again, this time by an estimated $5 million, according to a staff analysis to be presented to the RT board tonight.
With a Dec. 8 opening date less than a month away, officials say it also appears one of three stations being constructed on the extension of slightly more than one-half mile will not be ready to open.
The new line will run from the K Street Mall at Seventh and Eighth streets to a site behind the train depot. It has been described as a major step for the region's commuter rail system, connecting local light-rail lines to regional and national passenger trains.
But it has been plagued from the outset by construction problems and has had its opening pushed back several times.
RT spokesman Mike Wiley said staff members will offer a more detailed analysis to the RT board on the project's new time schedules and the estimated $5 million overrun.
"This is our best cost estimate at this point," he said. Wiley said RT has fleet funds available it can transfer to complete the project.
The construction cost overrun is the second on the project. Last year, the project price jumped $19 million. In total, additional expenses have increased the budget 10 percent, to $261 million.
