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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
Good news: Mayor Durkan says she supports the Center City streetcar. Bad news: She hasn't yet identified funding for cost overruns she blames on hasty "guessimates" by her predecessor's administration—and exacerbated by her delay. #SaveTheStreetcar
seattletimes.com
Mayor Durkan wants to build First Avenue streetcar, but even more money is needed
The project, once slated for a 2020 opening, has now been pushed back to 2025. Design and engineering, which had been finalized, will need to be redone for parts of the project.
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
The engineering report says the Murray admin failed to account for the following: ~$5.7MM to expand the South Lake Union streetcar maintenance barn ~$1MM to lengthen five station platforms and adjust the turnaround tracks $4MM to $11MM to strengthen South Jackson Street viaduct.
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
"Durkan’s approval does not mean construction of the streetcar, which would operate mostly in its own lanes on First Avenue, is assured. There is a projected $65 million shortfall between the latest cost estimates and the money that the City Council previously budgeted..."
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The Urbanist
@UrbanistOrg
The project continues to included about $78MM in underground water and electric-utility work, according to this latest estimate. "Much of that work would have to be done at some point anyway, whether the streetcar is built or not,"
@davidlgutman
reported.
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