Another 20 extensions are proposed or approved, and still another 54 new systems are on the drawing boards. And they're having all sorts of trouble getting built. Last November, ballot measures to fund light rail failed in Austin, San Antonio and Orlando. There are bitter fights over route lines in Orange County, Charlotte and Kansas City. Lawsuits and ideological arguments are hampering efforts in Baltimore, Houston and Minneapolis.
Projects are dramatically over budget in Seattle, Birmingham and Denver.
Property values have gone up and good development has occurred in neighborhoods where we have stations. And the main complaint we hear about light rail is that we don't have enough of it. We desperately need it. Looking back, building light rail was one of the best things we've done in the last 25 years. Webpage postings Printed periodicals.