Expo Line Budget Derails
The $640 million project has skyrocketed to $862 million
Metro.net
It was supposed to open this summer with the promise of fixing the congested Westside. Now the Expo Line rail project is $220 million over budget and at least a year behind schedule.
Officials had hoped that the 8.6 mile line connecting downtown to Culver City would be relatively simple and cost effective since it used right-of-way from the Southern Pacific railway. But the plan quickly derailed after a series of construction delays, problems with contractors, and project changes increased costs and delayed the opening.
According to the LA Times, problems included construction delays where the Expo and Blue lines meet on Flower Street, the decision to add a station at USC and safety improvements required next to public schools along the route.
The $640 million project has skyrocketed to $862 million and it may cost tens of millions more, the Times reported. Transit officials hope to open at least a portion of the route to west Crenshaw Boulevard next year.
The Culver City station may be running by the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012 although no official decision has been made, the Times said.
