Re: loco-hauled trains for SMART
Author: Espee99
Date: 09-20-2011 - 07:54
Perhaps if they wait long enough the cost of construction will be reduced so far that they can build it. Generally agencies have a 250% higher cost to construct than private entities due to the amount of public input, law suits, etc, and in some cases building standards that are in place to keep folks employed.
If they are ready to go why not get some Stimulus monies for the entire project, and not worry about it. If not why not make the time to review the entire project and make changes where merited. SMART has the right folks on board now, and they should look at the hard numbers not the political numbers, and make any changes that are required to get the project constructed in as close to proposed manner as possible.
Construction schedules often change costs, delaying the sound wall or installing the bike path on a different timeline from the RR rehab could save big bucks.
What cars they run, whether they have a bike trail, or sound walls should all be part of the review, remember now that the folks who have the experience with public projects are in play cooler heads may prevail.
Also look for law suits, remember what the NCRA had to go through just to deliver feed to Petaluma.