Austin’s multi-billion-dollar public transit overhaul known as Project Connect is slowly inching forward, but Project Connect staff this week has warned city leaders that the price tag will be climbing significantly.
Initially estimated to cost $5.8-billion for the Orange Line, Blue Line, and underground rail tunnel beneath downtown, Project Connect staff now says revised estimates put the cost above $10-billion. Rising real estate prices, inflation, and supply chain snags are all being blamed for the increase.
Previously, the Blue Line was slated to cost $1.3-billion. Additional cost projections have now brought that up to $1.9-billion. The Orange Line, originally expected to cost $2.5-billion, will now be closer to $4.3-billion. And the tunnel under downtown Austin which was initially expected to cost $2-billion will now cost $4.1-billion.
Total revised cost estimate: $10.3-billion.
Staff continues to claim, however, that taxpayers will face no further burden due to these increased estimates.
“Staff feel it is important to reiterate our working expectation that there will be no additional tax increase to support this program,” a memo says.
The final cost estimates won’t be released until later this year.
