• Purpose & Need /
  Project History
• Decision-Making Process
• Funding
• Environmental Process
• Schedule
• Alternatives
• Stations / Land Use
• Operations
• Ridership
• Vehicles
• Community Issues
• Public Involvement
• Safety & Security
• Parking / Traffic /
  Pedestrians / Bicycles
• Cost to Construct
• Maintenance Facilities

Cost to Construct

118. How much will it cost to build the Red Line?

Construction of the Red Line will be a very significant investment. The actual price tag varies depending on which alternative and mode are chosen for implementation. For instance, a Bus Rapid Transit alternative running on the surface for the entire length, is estimated at approximately $600-700 million. At the other end of the spectrum, a Light Rail Transit alternative with the greatest length of tunnel, is estimated at over $2 billion.

119. What are the cost differences between building tunnel and building at- grade?

The cost of tunnel construction is considerably higher than construction costs for surface transitway. Surface construction costs would include such items as tracks and guideway, stations, power supply and communications systems, utility relocation, right-of-way acquisition and other expenses. Tunnel construction would include all of these things as well as a significant amount of additional costs such as boring and excavation, tunnel structures, underground station structures (including mezzanines, elevators and escalators), ventilation systems, emergency access shafts, fire protection systems, waterproofing and other expenses. As a result of the additional requirements for tunnel construction, the cost of building transit alignments in tunnels can be from four times to eight times more expensive than surface alignments. These cost differences need to be taken into consideration to ensure that the proposed transit system is cost-effective while providing a useful and efficient service.