Fort Lauderdale — Cost Could Jeopardize Project

November 2014

Escalating costs and schedule delays are threatening Fort Lauderdale's planned streetcar system, even though proposals for extending the unbuilt line are being evaluated.

According to an article on the Sun Sentinal site, the $142.6 million, 2.7 mile long Wave streetcar project could lose federal funding and transit authority support due to problems with project partners. Cost overruns of $12.9 million are unfunded and now partners have asked for an additional $9 million in extras.

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority management feels the outstanding problems can be solved, but that all parties involved in the project need to focus on the complete project, not just their own piece.

The Authority's partners include the city and county, the Metroplitan Planning Organziation, the Downtown Development Authority, and the state DOT.

The city failed to meet a June deadline for providing land and cash it had already committed to deliver. The city also needs to finalize a commitment to furnish the site for the streetcar maintenance facility.

The SFRTA has applied for an additional $9.5 million in federal funding but partners would have to match the funding.

The earliest date for the line to open has been pushed back from 2016 to 2017.