The Chronicle‘s Rosanna Ruiz reports that METRO has responded to the facts that it still can’t reach agreement with its preferred rail construction partner and still can’t actually finance its rail expansion by… creating a fancy brochure (!):
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County went as far as creating a nine-page color brochure that promised that construction could begin within 90 days on North and Southeast light rail lines with a $410 million infusion.
Moving that quickly — and simultaneously — on two light-rail lines may seem farfetched considering that Metro’s track record includes completing only a single, 7-mile rail system.
Also, Metro has thus far been unable to reach a final contract agreement with Parsons Transportation Group, the firm it announced in April would build its rail lines.
Here is an excerpt from a fun comment on the story:
Houston Transit seems to have it’s [sic] hands out for $400 million for new light rail. If, Houston Transit got the $400 million, what would be the “remaining cost” the five new alignments — $3 billion or 4.5 to 5 billion? Ans: 4.5 bil – 5 billion more.
(Houston’s 50%, need to be borrow all of it: $2.5 bil)
Where is the brochure showing Houston total Light rail construction costs that would include future Debt Service and Operating Costs. I hope the new rail brochure shows all the “new” rail crossing rail in downtown –the new bridges or tunnels over or under Main Street.
The brochure should also show Metro’s current “lousy” bus service declining by 20% more, due to increased light rail operating and debt costs. Maybe the brochure should show the City of Houston’s additional Stimulus request for $175 million to build road and bridges for Metro’s Intermodal Terminal. (roads for a PPP Project that will be privately owned of course)
For even more fun, the brochure might also show Frank “Procurement Disaster” Wilson (unethically) negotiating his next gig with some contractor if/when he is unable to deliver the promised rail expansion on time or otherwise.
We’re pretty sure that METRO’s brochure won’t show any of those things.
