Denver RTD is So Lucky
I happen to run across an update to Seattle's Sound Transit
in Axios Seattle.
Quote:
: Since 2008, Seattle-area voters have approved more than $65 billion to grow the region's light rail system. But some projects are behind schedule, making it hard to track what's next.
The projects on deck are expected to expand the local light rail system from 26 miles to about 116 miles by 2041
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The Total Per Mile cost would be $560 million based on these cost figures.
I updated/double checked RTD rail costs
A) "FasTracks, RTD has completed 78 miles and spent $5.6 billion." (per the Denver Post)
B) The 2.3-mile Southeast Rail Line Extension cost $233.1 million. (pricey)
C) Added together both cost $5.833 billion for 80.3 miles.
D) The Per Mile cost was $72.64 million per mile.
Note: RTD now has a total of 113 miles of rail including previously built lines. Add an additional $1 billion of cost for those and the whole dang 113 miles cost ~ $60 million per mile. Also note that FasTracks included the Flatiron Flyer which I didn't bother to cost out.
Seattle is lucky too
You get what you pay for and Sound Transit is a high quality system. Also they've had to absorb post pandemic inflation costs for some projects under construction as well as projects that hadn't yet started.
Consider Austin's Project Connect
They're in the middle of the NEPA process and the latest is that their 9.8 miles of light rail will cost in the neighborhood of $5 billion or $510 per mile. Their project sounds closer to Denver quality then Seattle quality.