Friday, March 17, 2006
PAT Digs for More Money
The Port Authority plans to ask the Federal government for more money to bail out the proposed North Shore Connector. Those who are close to the project say that this may be the Connector’s last chance. That’s one chance too many. This project, with it inflated ridership projections and exorbitant costs, must be stopped once and for all.
Current estimates have County and state taxpayers responsible for $13 million and $65 million respectively—the rest ($317 million) coming from federal grants. The County Executive has said that the County will not pay more than its pledge. If the Port Authority (PAT) is successful in obtaining a $20 to $25 million grant from the Federal government, the County and the state would be on the hook to provide matching funds. Where will this money come from? Also, no mention has been given to who will pay for the eventual cost overruns. It is unlikely that the Federal government will do so. Chances are that burden will also fall on the County.
This boondoggle will be a permanent drain on County taxpayers. In addition to the capital costs that keep mounting, they will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance and operations costs. The Port Authority cannot balance its current budget and will undoubtedly be under more strain once the Connector is running.
Thanks to the Governor’s shifting of road and bridge money to PAT, they have been able to maintain status quo. But how much longer can this last? PAT is projecting a shortfall of $45 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Bridges are crumbling from neglect. When the Governor can no longer shift road money, County taxpayers will have to pick up the tab—a tab that continues to grow with wasteful projects like the Connector, the Wabash Tunnel HOV, and the Brookline light rail extension.
The County Executive needs to come forward to stop the Port Authority’s plans to ask for more Federal money. The County does not have the matching funds. Despite cut backs to the scope of the project, costs continue to outpace projections. Cost overruns have not been addressed. This boondoggle can be a potential quagmire for state and County taxpayers. The time to kill the Connector is now.
Current estimates have County and state taxpayers responsible for $13 million and $65 million respectively—the rest ($317 million) coming from federal grants. The County Executive has said that the County will not pay more than its pledge. If the Port Authority (PAT) is successful in obtaining a $20 to $25 million grant from the Federal government, the County and the state would be on the hook to provide matching funds. Where will this money come from? Also, no mention has been given to who will pay for the eventual cost overruns. It is unlikely that the Federal government will do so. Chances are that burden will also fall on the County.
This boondoggle will be a permanent drain on County taxpayers. In addition to the capital costs that keep mounting, they will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance and operations costs. The Port Authority cannot balance its current budget and will undoubtedly be under more strain once the Connector is running.
Thanks to the Governor’s shifting of road and bridge money to PAT, they have been able to maintain status quo. But how much longer can this last? PAT is projecting a shortfall of $45 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Bridges are crumbling from neglect. When the Governor can no longer shift road money, County taxpayers will have to pick up the tab—a tab that continues to grow with wasteful projects like the Connector, the Wabash Tunnel HOV, and the Brookline light rail extension.
The County Executive needs to come forward to stop the Port Authority’s plans to ask for more Federal money. The County does not have the matching funds. Despite cut backs to the scope of the project, costs continue to outpace projections. Cost overruns have not been addressed. This boondoggle can be a potential quagmire for state and County taxpayers. The time to kill the Connector is now.
