A DIFFERING VIEW: RTD nickel-and-dimed projections from the start
Contrary to the Rocky’s Aug. 27 editorial (“Taking the heat/RTD needs to resist requests for upgrades”), the Regional Transportation District’s budget problems are of its own making, not that of the communities that will “enjoy new rail service.”
RTD used overly optimistic projections, and poor — even invalid — assumptions as to the true cost of building new rail lines, including FasTracks. As early as 2000, when the West Corridor Environmental Impact Study was just getting under way, RTD received public comments identifying shortcomings in their proposed design — not simple amenities or a “wish list” as you say — but fundamental errors in judgment as to just what the true impacts will be of putting a light-rail line right through the middle of a mature residential community.
The final EIS document (2003) contains many warnings of insufficient detail of cost items, missing design elements and the lack of a sufficient contingency fund; warnings that RTD chose to ignore.
RTD has touted the rising cost of commodities as the main reason for cutting back on the design. The fact is, the design was inadequate from the start.
It is unfair and irresponsible for RTD to now want to hold local communities accountable for budget problems that RTD itself failed to anticipate, especially when given ample warning.
RTD sold this region a bill of goods with the FasTracks program — it has never acknowledged the true cost of building light rail in a sensitive and responsible manner, and apparently has not learned the lessons from the Alaska pipeline and Boston tunnel projects regarding the end cost of building a system on the cheap.
Paul Ditson is a resident of Lakewood.
RTD needs to bring Ben Mew and give him an ice scraper.
Posted by Running Hot on August 31, 2007 01:12 AMRTD did sell a bill of goods to the voters. They knew well that they were presenting a package that wasn't realistic. Now, their excuses for their bad predictions extend all the way to Hurrican Katrina.
This seems to have the making of a future disaster.
Posted by Jeff on August 31, 2007 10:31 AM