The chickens have come home to roost in Seattle, where the state has tallied up the cost and time overruns for the Highway 99 tunnel project.
Mike Lindblom reports: "Tunnel-machine Bertha’s two-year breakdown will further delay the Highway 99 tunnel’s grand opening until 2019 and saddle Washington state with an estimated $223 million in cost overruns, lawmakers were told Thursday."
The expected cost of the project could continue to rise even higher, according to testimony from Roger Millar, acting transportation secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation, depending on the outcome of court battles between the lead contractor on the project, Seattle Tunnel Partners, and the state.
"The extra costs almost certainly would be paid by the state’s drivers in gas taxes, more transportation-fund debt, or by tolls and fees," according to Lindblom. On the subject of tolls, the state's toll division is considering tolls of up to $2.50 in each direction at peak hours for the use of the tunnel when it opens. That cost has also risen substantially since an initial recommendation of $1.25 each direction.
FULL STORY: Bertha’s woes grind on: cost rises, tunnel delayed until 2019
Another, Final(?) Delay for Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement
The Washington Department of Transportation announced that Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct will close permanently in January 2019, with service switching over the tunnel Bertha built. The previous plan expected the switch to occur in the Fall.
Bertha Stuck Again: Sinkhole Prompts Suspension of Highway 99 Tunnel Project
The adventure of Bertha the tunnel-boring machine, already two years behind schedule, has a new twist.
Bertha Awakens—New Hope After a Two-Year Delay for Seattle Tunnel-Boring Machine
Baby steps are an improvement for the tunnel-boring machine known as Bertha. The drill moved a total of 1.5 feet this week, but the symbolic distance probably felt like a mile.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)