Quote:
Originally Posted by Changing City
It's always difficult to make direct comparisons between projects as the scope, timing and construction considerations are always different. The Lynnwood extension opened last year, and cost $3.1bn US, for 4 stations and 8.5 miles(13.7km) of track. That's $4.26bn CA at today's exchange rate.
The next phase of expansion is the West Seattle link extension. That's only 4.1 miles (6.6km), but is now budgeted at $7.1bn US ($10bn CA), and that's not yet firm - it could end up costing more.
Langley is now expected to cost $6bn CA for 16 km and 8 stations. It looks like a comparative bargain.
The LRT construction is also facing similar delay as the Broadway extension - their current extension in Redmond was due to be completed in 2023, and is now not opening until 2025. |
Seattle is playing catch-up for sure. One place they have Vancouver solidly beat is funding. Measures were approved for future lines for the next 10-15 years.
West Link has been delayed for sure, but needs to cross the Lake at water level, pretty complex IMO.
They have 3 extensions under real construction, 2 opening in 2025 and 1 in 2026. At that time they will exceed Skytrain in terms of miles of track, and likely we'll never catch up.
They started ~20 years behind Vancouver and caught up and will beat us in their first 25 or so. Not in ridership of course, but the vision feels a lot more solid.
Re: bolded parts, I can't see how that's a deal. And I'll eat my hat if the Langley extension doesn't increase before all is said and done.
Threaded Mode