2223 replies to this topic

[ajfunder]

Denver is the same way with there rail projects, they are proposed, funded, and built with very little time spent in limbo. The LYNX extension does require quite a large amount of infrastructure with multiple bridges and redoing N. Tryon street. The LYNX relies heavily on the transit tax, which has had a downturn in revenue, but still our rail projects do seem to take longer than others

[southslider]

kermit, on 21 May 2012 - 09:31 AM, said:

pardon the whining but can someone tell my how Portland can finish a 10 mile new LRT line to Milwaukee in three years while it will take CATS at least five years to finish the BLE?

http://www.bizjourna...-from-feds.html

The BLE is projected to be open for revenue service five years from now, but construction hasn't started yet.

[dubone]

It hasn't even been funded.  It is forecast for funding, but not yet secured.  But the timeline shows 4 years of construction.

There are cases where longer timelines can be lower cost, or necessary for cash flow reasons, as you have an additional FY to cover the costs.  But also, there could be complexity differences, etc.

I'm more surprised by the length of time to create the streetcar starter, especially since it was stimulus money designed to spent quickly.   It seems they'll be doing lots of utility work for that projects, whereas 5 years ago at public meetings for the streetcar, engineers loved to speak about how quickly it was possible to lay tracks in streets without affecting utilities.  I suppose that was either not possible, or they opted against that process in order to get the utilities updated.

[tozmervo]

I have to think there are some massive headaches doing this kind of work on Trade Street, especially with several "high priority" buildings along that stretch like the jail and the Federal Reserve.