Even Sound Transit's public directors don't expect to know until Dec. 8. They are slated to approve the projected overruns three days after New Year's and sign the tunnel contract Jan. 25. Once a contract is signed, there's no turning back. The last chance to turn back is now. This editorial page joins the growing band of citizens calling for an audit now.
Light rail needs to be repriced.
Taxpayers of the region need to know what it will really cost for the minimum system - SeaTac to Northgate. At the same time, let's recalculate opportunity costs - what will not happen because of the money spent on light rail. Specifically, light rail should be compared with spending the same local money on transit-dedicated road lanes, regionwide coordination of traffic signals, and other ideas now being proposed. This time-out should include an analysis of the proposal by former Metro boss Chuck Collins to offer greatly expanded bus service for free. Sound Transit resists such comparisons.