☆ More $ reasons to cancel BART-to-SJ Latest gigantic BART-to-SJ $ overages justify cancelling project
Last week, VTA announced that its woebegone BART-to-SJ extension is over budget yet again, and looks to exceed the eye-popping $12.75bn--no typo--price tag. Thunder Parley explores in this Opp Now exclusive.
Planners originally priced Phase 2 of the BART-to-SJ extension at roughly $2 billion to finish. Now VTA admits costs blow past $12.75 billion, over six times higher, with zero new funding and no price cap. Officials weigh station cuts while Mayor Matt Mahan pushes to dig a five-mile tunnel with a $76 million machine and build in phases.
No homeowner would continue a remodel without knowing the final bill.
Consider:
A recent Civil Grand Jury found VTA has no fiscal plan to finish. Planners projected ridership 614% higher than actuals, taxpayers spend $69 million yearly covering Phase 1 shortfalls and extending downtown pushes annual losses over $200 million.
VTA's CEQA findings admit a net greenhouse gas increase, while lifecycle data shows the tunnel creates 344,000 tons of upfront carbon debt.
Rapid buses cover this route in practically the same time today.
This pet project of egos ignores reality. I will say out loud what politicians will not. Should we spend unknown tens of billions to guarantee VTA loses hundreds of millions subsidizing BART, an agency warning of its own death spiral, or keep existing VTA service and billions of dollars?
Cancel this now. We are not their ATM.--Thunder Parley
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