So it would appear as if $327 million dollar light rail project had a lot of fluff in it… so much fluff, someone decided to revise the numbers downward.
By $84 million dollars. From the Virginian-Pilot [1]:
The state has committed $155 million toward the project; if it proceeds, Virginia Beach would be on the hook for the remaining $88 million and cost overruns.
The new estimate was derived from preliminary engineering designs and includes $28.8 million for unforeseen overruns. The exact cost won’t be known until contractors bid on the project next spring.
The 3.5-mile extension of The Tide from Newtown Road to Town Center would cost $69.5 million a mile. Dallas’ latest light-rail extension was $67 million a mile, Minneapolis’ was $98 million a mile, Charlotte’s was $118 million a mile and Portland’s was $204 million a mile, according to a study of comparable rail lines compiled by HRT and HDR engineering.
Pro-tip: Any project with that much swing on the gate isn’t ready for prime time. No small wonder why Virginia Beach voters ought to be very cautious (if not hostile) to any plan regarding light rail.