Tuesday, June 13, 2006
More Money for the Light Rail Tunnel
The public’s contribution to the light rail extension known as the North Shore Connector continues to increase. Now we are told that the absolute drop dead date for determining whether the project will go forward is June 23rd. That is when the FTA will green light or kill the project by infusing another $18 million toward their more than $300 million already in, or walking away.
Of course, this move will not only push the total cost up to $428 million, it will require a new round of contributions from the state ($5.8 million), the County ($1.2 million), and even the cash-strapped Port Authority ($10 million).
While the County Executive has expressed lukewarm enthusiasm for the project, he has broken his word that the County would not contribute any more money to the Connector, noting that it is too hard to walk away from what the Feds are offering and this is the only way to get light rail to the airport and the North Hills.
That’s a lot of hot air. Taking the light rail to the North Shore and then connecting it to the airport makes no sense since the T is already situated on the South Side and Station Square. It also makes no sense since the Connector’s boosters have told us time and again that the Federal government will never dangle this much money for a project again. Given the lengths officials have patched together dollars to meet this budget, how will they do it again?
Let’s be clear: the Executive is responsible for the money the County puts in, as well as what PAT contributes since he appoints all the board members. He can’t take the position that the deal was done before his time. If the project were to go away, the state and local money could be put toward other uses for the pressing transportation needs in the region. Call this what it is: a sop to the unions and contractors.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_457756.html
Of course, this move will not only push the total cost up to $428 million, it will require a new round of contributions from the state ($5.8 million), the County ($1.2 million), and even the cash-strapped Port Authority ($10 million).
While the County Executive has expressed lukewarm enthusiasm for the project, he has broken his word that the County would not contribute any more money to the Connector, noting that it is too hard to walk away from what the Feds are offering and this is the only way to get light rail to the airport and the North Hills.
That’s a lot of hot air. Taking the light rail to the North Shore and then connecting it to the airport makes no sense since the T is already situated on the South Side and Station Square. It also makes no sense since the Connector’s boosters have told us time and again that the Federal government will never dangle this much money for a project again. Given the lengths officials have patched together dollars to meet this budget, how will they do it again?
Let’s be clear: the Executive is responsible for the money the County puts in, as well as what PAT contributes since he appoints all the board members. He can’t take the position that the deal was done before his time. If the project were to go away, the state and local money could be put toward other uses for the pressing transportation needs in the region. Call this what it is: a sop to the unions and contractors.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_457756.html
