Hilltop trolley extension to cost $30M more, not start running until 2023. Here’s why
The Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension that has kept 2.4 miles of Tacoma streets in various stages of demolition and reconstruction since 2018 is getting $30 million more in funding and won’t open until 2023, according to Sound Transit.
It’s the second time the agency has needed more money and time to complete the project, originally slated to open in May.
Sound Transit says supply problems, additional work and pricier parts have resulted in costly delays to the construction project and the five new trolley cars that will roll on the new rails.
The original project budget of $217 million grew to $252 million in June 2020 and is now sitting at $282 million. The current figure represents a 30 percent increase from the original project budget.
WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING
In June 2020, an additional $35 million was needed, mostly for unforeseen problems with underground utility work, the regional transportation agency said at the time.
In February, the project’s management team asked for and received the extra $30 million from Sound Transit’s board.
The latest deficit comes from design revisions, increased administrative support and delayed testing.
Pandemic-induced supply chain delays also added to costs, Sound Transit spokesperson Scott Thompson said Tuesday.
Design revisions included curb and gutter, overhead power system, rails and other elements, Thompson said.
Trolley car costs increased due to unanticipated delays and increased production costs, Sound Transit said. The first of five cars arrived in Tacoma in March and is being assembled. Originally, the cars were to arrive in summer 2021, Thompson said.
“There’s going to be, now, more time to make sure those are tested and inspected correctly,” he said.
There’s also salaries. The employees and consultants needed to get the system running are going to be on the project longer.
DELAYED OPENING, ADDED COSTS
Sound Transit had long maintained a May 2022 opening date for the extension, which adds 2.4 miles to the existing 1.6 mile line that opened in 2003.
Red flags began to rise in May 2021 when the agency performed a review of the project and determined it would likely need as much as seven extra months to become operational. That put the opening as late as March 2023, according to a Feb. 10, 2022, budget amendment.
The resulting delay would add to cost increases, it said.
As late as December, Sound Transit was telling the public its probable opening date would be September 2022.
In January, another review confirmed the previous findings, Sound Transit said. It also determined the delay could be 10 months.
Out of the additional $30 million allocated to the project, a little more than $20 million is coming from an American Rescue Plan federal grant. The rest is coming from Sound Transit revenue: taxes, debt proceeds and fares.
STATUS THIS WEEK
Construction on the project is now 91 percent complete, Thompson said.
But when will those orange barrels, street closure signs and detours be removed? Road work on MLK Jr. Way should finish in May. Work on side streets will continue into the summer but work zones will be smaller, Thompson said.
On Tuesday, crews were working at various points along the line. Crews also work at night installing power cables.
“We’re trying to do as much of this work at night as we can,” Thompson said.
The seven new stations (including one relocation) are taking shape but canopies and art still need installation.
A major milestone will be the joining of the extension with the existing line’s rails and power system at South 9th and Commerce streets. That critical switch has been moved back from summer to fall, Thompson said. The switch will require a month-long shutdown.
Before testing begins in fall, a safety campaign will launch. The trolley line runs adjacent to Stadium High School.
Except for a few dedicated sections, the trains travel on city streets with other vehicles. They follow the speed limits those vehicles do, 25 miles per hour or less. Where the track makes a 90-degree turn at Stadium High School, trains will slow to about 15 miles per hour outbound and 10 miles per hour inbound.
“With all these high school kids, cyclists and cars and everything else that we’re going to be sharing the road with, we’ve got to do a robust safety campaign to make sure everybody’s aware of safety around these trains,” Thompson said.
The current 12-minute interval between trains will decrease to 10 minutes when the line becomes operational.
NO MORE FREE RIDES
The possibly 10-month-long delay in opening represents 10 months of lost revenue for Sound Transit.
Since its opening in 2003, Tacoma Link has been free. When the extension becomes operational, fares will be charged along the entire route.
Just how much hasn’t been decided yet, Thompson said. The Sound Transit board has the final say. A decision could be made this summer.
Ticket vending machines will be installed along the route.
This story was originally published April 8, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
