From the Admiral...

The preliminary cost estimates are in.

Thanks to the efforts of the Working Group’s consultants, we now have preliminary capital and operating estimates for a possible Downtown streetcar system. Costs range from a low of $42.3 million for the shortest route to $115.5 million for the longest route.

At our last meeting, Greg Comfort, a consultant from EMH&T (an engineering firm) broke down the overall capital cost estimates into the following line items:

• Track Installation
• Bridge Modifications
• Infrastructure
• Power Supply System
• Median and Stops
• Streetcars
• Maintenance Facility
• Engineering and Administration
• Contingency (15%)

Jim Joyce, a consultant from HR Gray, provided preliminary annual operation costs for all three routes. These ranged from $2.6 - $5 million a year. Joyce broke down the preliminary costs into these line items:

• Personnel
• Power
• Routine Maintenance
• Administration
• Operations

If you’d like to see the detailed presentations from EMH&T and HR Gray, log on to www.downtowncolumbus.com and click on the streetcar icon. You will find the presentations are under ‘Meeting Materials.’

Downtown Streetcar Preliminary Costs

What people are saying about Downtown Columbus Streetcars

From emails sent to streetcars@downtowncolumbus.com

“I believe if at all possible, the potential streetcar line needs to include OSU.  This is one of the densest, if not the densest concentration of population in the entire city (many of whom do not have cars).”

“I can't think of a dingier idea than streetcars for Columbus.”

“I am all about the streetcars and I hope that they will one day be a driving force to the rejuvenation of Downtown Columbus.”

“I imagine students going back and forth – from OSU to the former Lazarus Building and back-- hopping off at the Short North on their way. Streetcars will help to revitalize and connect our town.”

Have something to say about Columbus streetcars? Send your ideas, thoughts and opinions tomailto:streetcars@downtowncolumbus.com