A proposed rail line would run from downtown Portland, Oregon, to the suburbs. The budget has increased significantly, and many funding and project scope questions remain.

"Projected costs for TriMet’s next light rail project have increased by nearly half a billion dollars, creating a new budget gap that TriMet officials are optimistic can be addressed, but has raised alarm bells for some suburban leaders," writes Andrew Theen.
The planned line would be a 12-mile, 13-station route running from downtown Portland along a southwest corridor. The project cost has increased to $2.87 billion, an increase of about $462 million, notes Theen.
Officials in suburban districts say they will not support the project if the route is shortened or vehicle travel lanes are removed on Barbur Boulevard, a main thoroughfare, to cut project costs. Other options include eliminating some of the project’s park-and-ride lots or stations and using battery-electric trains instead of vehicles that require overhead equipment.
Theen says that the Metro Council has just $50 million of federal funds secured for the project. "The region will seek $1.25 billion from the Federal Transit Administration and will ask voters to contribute $850 million at the November 2020 ballot box. The state, city of Portland, TriMet and Washington County are all expected to contribute significantly as well, but the precise funding sources and firm commitments are still months away."
FULL STORY: Barbur light rail project faces $462 million funding gap, tough decisions loom

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
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