Seattle's Monorail Now $1 Billion Per Mile

The latest cost estimate for Seattle's planned monorail could run as high as $14 billion -- $1 billion per mile.

1 minute read

July 2, 2005, 1:00 PM PDT

"Monorail leaders and some city officials, spinning the effects of the financial sticker shock, continue to downplay interest expenses. They weren't mentioned in recent two-page SMP newspaper advertisements announcing the contract, which listed "cost" at $1.615 billion. As SMP Executive Director Joel Horn puts it, the price seems high because some are comparing today's dollars with future dollars and not realizing that in 40 years, today's dollar may be worth only a dime."

Thanks to Profession of New Urbanism Listserv

FULL STORY: One Billion per Mile

Saturday, July 2, 2005 in Seattle Weekly

Transportation Washington

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.