Not only is the Purple Line light rail line itself going to be expensive, so, too, it seems will other parts of the project. The price tag for the Georgetown Branch Trail running alongside the Purple Line route will cost more than 160% than anticipated. Anyone who looks at the cost of light rail projects shouldn’t be surprised that as the plan unfolds, costs are going to be far higher than anticipated.

Take Charlotte’s light rail system. It cost 100% more than anticipated. Or you can always look at Seattle’s light rail that’s turned into a financial disaster. If still not convinced, take short trip to look Norfolk-Hampton Roads light rail and all its problems.

I kind of feel bad harping on this issue again after writing a blog post so recently on it, but it amazes me that people think that light rail will be a cost-effective way of getting people around the DC metro region. Light rail projects are incredibly expensive (often more expensive than anticipated), carry few people, and require very large subsidies to operate. Now, as the Georgetown Branch Trail indicates, even the hiking trails associated with light rail will cost 160% more than originally planned. Is this really a project that our cash-strapped state should pursue?