SDOT
Nearly a year after pausing construction of the Center City Connector (C3) Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is looking to proceed with the project. Last March, Durkan ordered an independent review to investigate the management of the project and potential funding shortfall.
In the initial independent review released last August, estimated costs for C3 reached $252.2 million, up from the $197.7 million budget in 2017. Since the initial review estimates for C3 have increased to approximately $286 million. Part of the cost increase is due to the new trains already on order that weigh about 12 tons more than the city’s existing streetcars.
SDOT
A portion of the anticipated funding for the project is via a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant. The city estimates that the FTA will take 18 months to review funding. This pushes C3’s opening date from 2022 to 2025. Should the FTA funding come through, SDOT will still face a $65 million shortfall. Durkan will work with the City Council to find funding.
Seattle Streetcar Coalition
The C3’s 1.2-mile track will mostly run along 1st Avenue linking the city’s two existing lines that run from First Hill to Pioneer Square; and Westlake through South Lake Union.
An SDOT document released this month stated that construction could begin in 2022 on what it assumes to be a three-year project. The timeline however could change depending on funding and the FTA review.