Comments on: The Decade’s Top Hits

By: David Alexander

David Alexander — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:59:17 +0000

The same is also true of HBLR. IIRC, both projects underwent the the DBOM process primarily to speed up their funding and thus expedite the construction of the line, hence why HBLR went from MOS-1 to MOS-2 within six years of operation. I believe NJT essentially borrowed against future monies placed into the Transportation Trust Fund which is used by the state of New Jersey to pay for varying transport projects.

BTW, according to the FTA, the as-built capital costs for MOS I was $869.7M and MOS II was $886.5M.

By: Adam Krom

Adam Krom — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:49:44 +0000

I believe that the River Line was a DBOM project — design build operate maintain. I think that roughly ten years of operating expenses were capitalized into the project cost. If that is true, then you would need to back those costs out to compare to projects where operating costs are not included in the cost estimate.

By: Nathanael

Nathanael — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:33:52 +0000

The Silver Lie dug bus tunnels in very difficult areas, with lots of underpinning, waterproofing, avoiding existing foundations, etc.

And it was basically a big waste. :-(

By: BruceMcF

BruceMcF — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:23:47 +0000

It makes a big difference if you look at lump sum capital cost versus annualized capital cost. Lump sum deflates the economic cost of less durable infrastructure and inflates the capital cost of more durable infrastructure.

By: Brandi

Brandi — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:15:05 +0000

Wow didn’t know Yonah did the graphics for the infrastructurist too. Talk about a graphic god! This decade did seem to have a few good hits, let’s hope for a lot more next decade! Also how did the Boston Silver Line cost so much? I thought that wasn’t even real BRT.

By: Woody

Woody — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:08:12 +0000

Well, now, THAT was a public service announcement if I ever saw one! Thanks.

By: Ted King

Ted King — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:04:35 +0000

Lead graphic (FULL SIZE)

By: Chetan

Chetan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:30:04 +0000

It’s not a matter of “if” any more, just a matter of when. We will have a move transit oriented America.

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:20:06 +0000

Do you have an estimate for the total amount of planned light rail projects in the US? I saw the list but a bunch don’t have numbers on them and I’m trying to get a feel for the size of the “proposed” market… thanks!

By: DBX

DBX — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:12:16 +0000

You’re missing Chicago’s Douglas/54th-Cermak Blue Line reconstruction — a far more thorough project than the recent Brown Line scheme — which took place from 2002 to 2005.

However, even with this included in Chicago transit, the sad fact is that it does not even get Chicago, the third largest metropolitan area in the country, into the top ten list for total investment. Which says something about the pitiable state of things here in Illinois, where no-one is even talking about a balanced budget even though we’re constitutionally required to have one, and where the latest infrastructure plan is more skewed towards roads than the last one.