Some action on the rail construction front

Finally.

After two years of negotiations with two firms, the Metropolitan Transit Authority may be close to reaching a deal with a contractor to build and operate its next four light rail lines.

"We're in final negotiations," said George Smalley, a Metro spokesman. "In a negotiation, though, you never know until it's really over."

The pending breakthrough with Parsons Transportation Group comes three years before Metro has said all five of its additional rail lines will be complete. The fifth rail line, the University line, remains in preliminary stages of development; another agreement will have to reached on that line.

Despite the tight time frame for the new lines, Metro officials say they are sticking to the 2012 target date.

[...]

Metro leaders remain confident that the five lines, which total 30 miles, can be completed on schedule.

"We're still set on that path," Smalley said, "but it doesn't mean it's going to be easy."

I'm glad he's confident, but honestly, I don't see how it's possible. Maybe we can get the North, Southeast, and Harrisburg lines done by then, assuming overpass issue doesn't turn into a lawsuit. Even if we assume that there's no further litigation coming for the Universities line - not a bet I'd be willing to make - who knows how long it will be before they hammer out an agreement for that line, which will be the longest and most care-intensive line to build. And the Uptown line is a non-starter until we're sure the U-line is going forward. Frankly, I'll be happy if all five lines are done by 2014.

But hey, whatever the case, I'm just thrilled to see this next step get taken. It's way past time for it to happen. Now if we can start talking about where we go from here as well, I'll be ecstatic.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on February 16, 2009 to Planes, Trains, and Automobiles