Monday, January 22, 2007
PAT Apologists Never Get It
Over the past weekend, a local transportation reporter wondered how silly local opponents of the North Shore Connector can be for being willing to walk away from $420 million in federal and state money. This is the same reporter who has recently begun reporting on the terrible state of Port Authority finances after years of excusing their spendthrift ways and calling on Harrisburg to come up with dedicated funding.
Well let’s set the record straight on the $420 million we are said to be turning our backs on. First of all, 25 percent ($47 million) of the federal funding is flexible funds that were to be diverted from other regional projects. The state funds ($72 million) are committed to the project but could be shifted to other projects if the Connector is not built. And, the County would save the $14.7 million it is being counted on to contribute. That’s a total of $174 million. So, let’s be clear. The County would not be giving up $420 million; it would be keeping over $170 million for worthwhile projects.
To spend $260 million of new federal money that requires $174 million of money that could be better used is not a bargain--especially, in view of the extremely low level of benefits the Connector will provide and its extraordinarily high per mile cost.
Moreover, when the cost overruns start, as they are certain to do, the local and state funding could rise by tens or hundreds of millions. At that point, not forgoing the feds’ $260 million will look like the biggest mistake anyone ever made in Allegheny County.
Giving up the federal money on its face might seem foolhardy. But in light of other factors diehard advocates refuse to consider, telling the feds to keep the $260 million would be very smart.
Well let’s set the record straight on the $420 million we are said to be turning our backs on. First of all, 25 percent ($47 million) of the federal funding is flexible funds that were to be diverted from other regional projects. The state funds ($72 million) are committed to the project but could be shifted to other projects if the Connector is not built. And, the County would save the $14.7 million it is being counted on to contribute. That’s a total of $174 million. So, let’s be clear. The County would not be giving up $420 million; it would be keeping over $170 million for worthwhile projects.
To spend $260 million of new federal money that requires $174 million of money that could be better used is not a bargain--especially, in view of the extremely low level of benefits the Connector will provide and its extraordinarily high per mile cost.
Moreover, when the cost overruns start, as they are certain to do, the local and state funding could rise by tens or hundreds of millions. At that point, not forgoing the feds’ $260 million will look like the biggest mistake anyone ever made in Allegheny County.
Giving up the federal money on its face might seem foolhardy. But in light of other factors diehard advocates refuse to consider, telling the feds to keep the $260 million would be very smart.
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Excellent insights.
Furthermore, the money that was spent already, where did it go?
It paid people for work, right?
Where is that work product?
Can some of it be re-used?
Was it all out of state spending so far?
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Furthermore, the money that was spent already, where did it go?
It paid people for work, right?
Where is that work product?
Can some of it be re-used?
Was it all out of state spending so far?
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