Contributed by: filbert Thursday, August 09 2007 @ 01:36 PM CST
It remains less than obvious to me why Kansas City, one of the least densely populated major metropolitan areas in the country, needs a light rail system.A new report says Kansas City’s voter-approved light rail plan faces a funding shortfall of $433 million to $545 million — even if the federal government pays half of the construction costs.
Officials with HNTB discussed the estimate with the city council’s Transportation Committee this morning and copies were provided to reporters,
“The money is not sufficient to do what was voted on in November, 2006,” said Mark Huffer, general manager of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.
Clay Chastain, who proposed the November 2006 ballot measure, did not attend the meeting this morning and was not immediately available for comment.
. . .
Engineers also estimated operating costs at $11 million in the first year, with fares and other revenue paying for $6.2 million of that. The total operating shortfall, the report says, would total $73.7 million, in 2007 dollars, through 2034.
Total shortfall considering construction and operating costs: $489 million, assuming the midpoint construction estimate.
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