Updated: Fri Oct. 23 2009 18:15:31
ctvottawa.ca
The cost to run light rail transit through the downtown core is rising.
Originally, taxpayers were told $1.4 billion would be needed; then $1.8 bilion; and now a city report released Friday says the total cost will be $2.1 billion.
Council is divided on the merits of the project when compared with the rising cost.
"We see a 50 per cent increase in the estimate of the tunnel alone and we're nowhere near putting a spade in the ground," says Coun. Diane Deans. "That, to me, is a flaming red flag."
However, Coun. Jacques Legendre counters the cost is a small price to pay for moving commuters off the roads - particularly downtown - and on to the rails.
"This is needed," he says. "We need to uncork the bottle. Right now, we've got a major problem in the downtown and that's why we desperately need the tunnel."
Debt and gas tax revenue will be used to pay for the first phase of the project, adds Alex Cullen, chair of the city's transit committee. He adds there will be no immediate effect on property taxes.
The first phase of the project includes:
- A downtown tunnel (stretching 3.2 kilometres)
- Conversion of the transitway to light rail from Blair Road to Tunney's Pasture Station
- East-end rail yeard
- Light rail transit vehicles to service the new lines
"An LRT system will mean public transit in Ottawa that will be able to carry more people more efficiently at a lower overall cost," noted the report released by the City.
"However, developing the LRT system and the downtown tunnel is about more than transit. The new system will also have significant benefits for our environment, our economy, our quality of life and our communities."
The project was approved by council in November 2008.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Norman Fetterley
Comments are now closed for this story
Mike in Orleans
Like I said in one other comment I did, how much more money are they (the council) will waste before this is implemanted??
if they would have stop twirling three thumbs in debate and do studies over studies of the same assessments, this project would have started already 4 years ago..
Anonymous
Would this city counsel be able to manage themselves out of a wet paper bag?
How exactly did O'Brien make money as a businessman before becoming our Mayor?
All of them are truly making this city the laughing stock of the country.
Be proud fellow Ottawanians, be proud. Make sure you vote each and every one of them back in for another term next election. We really need people like this driving our city.
MP
I will not be surprised at all if the final, signed and sealed project will be a whopping $3-$4 BILLION. This city is going to go broke.
Mary
I am sorry that is too much for taxes. When I buy something I shop around for the best price. Money does not grow on trees.
Maureen
A gross amount of money!! The people are NOT made out of money city counsellors!!!! Hello?!
Joe
How many citizens are these inept city councillors going to bankrupt? Where are they going to get this $2.1 Billion? It's $2.1 Billion now. Next month, $3 Billion. Six months after $4 billion. When the project is done, it'll be $10 billion. Vote these inept idiots out. Every single one of them.
Bill
Cut funding to the arts and get money from the prov and the feds.
The $2.1 billion isn't going to be shouldered by property taxpayers alone.
We should borrow to pay for this too, it's essential that this project get going.
We need political parties in this city to get better decisions made too.
Frank
I think the city should do ANOTHER study on this project. KIDDING!
No, the city needs to STOP this nonsense NOW and officially declare this thing DEAD! Do they really think that the provincial and federal government will write them a blank cheque to cover these WEEKLY EXTRA expenses?
2 weeks ago it was 1.4, then 1.8, now 2.1 billion. By the time they actually START this project in 2025, it will be 5.3 or 6.8 BILLION!
I agree with a previous comment. People complain about these inept city councillors, then come election time, they vote these same clowns in.
You watch. Next November, I'd be very SURPRISED if their are new councillors winning over incumbents who are running for re-election. I'm sure every councillor that is running in the next municipal election will be voted in.
Ottawa voters seem to have amnesia when they get to the ballot box.
No More
As a taxpayer, I can't pay for this.
I just retired and my first priority now is to move out of this city to avoid having to pay for this system that I will likely never use. I'll probably move in a rural area just outside of Ottawa.
Happy paying..
peggy
Enough already!! Let's stop paying consultants millions of dollars and get this project off the ground!!
darrell
This is way to much money to spend,its time citizen stand up and say enough is enough. We can't afford it will cost three to four times the amount they say. City hall knows the real numbers but they lie as usual, they all should be voted out.
chris
This project is off the rails "pardon the pun".. I still cannot understand the need for downtown tunnel.. at 40 mil per km this has to be the worst way to go.. Even if you have a tunnel, why would u need it from the rideau center to Ottawa U, when a perfectly good transit corridor is on the surface.. Can this project before it breaks our bank..
Sue
Not surprising that the cost continues to rise. Wait until they start digging for the tunnel. I'm sure that will again increase the cost of this project.
City Council must think there are millions of residents living in Ottawa. Hello Council, we haven't reached the one million mark!!!!
I'm pretty sure that the Provincial & Federal purse strings will be pulled really tight. Then the decision will be out of the hands of this inept City Council.
FB
I have to agree with the previous comment from FRANK. Come election time amnesia will set in once again. Let's not forget that council voted themselves a 25% increase for their continued incompetence. WAKE UP OTTAWA vote these clowns out once and for all. Enough already.
reidjr
Sue
Ottawa should be well over the one million mark by this time next year.As of now there is about 1,1 million people in ottawa.
Travis
For crying out loud Ottawa.
I know who I won't be voting for.
I'd like to see city council and the mayor go for the rest of their term without pay. They don't deserve a cent of our tax money.
Grrrr.
Karen
- The price is to be passed to us (as increased in taxes)
- The possibility of strike is still there
- Services haven't improve since the strike (bus drivers stil hasn't called in for every stop, buses are still sometimes late or not showing up, several people + bus employees are still smoking on the OC transpo stations, etc.)
I don't think we should be voting for these guys (councillors and mayor) for letting this. Time to replace all of them.
Becky
Time to sell the house and buy a trailer and park overnight at constellation cres.
reidjr
Travis
What concerns me more then council is people want light rail just beacuse they see it else where.
