Lake Oswego to Portland streetcar decision delayed


A decision on the proposed Lake Oswego to Portland streetcar project is delayed until next year so that the project team can address questions and concerns from the public.

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A decision on the proposed Lake Oswego to Portland streetcar project is delayed until next year so that the project team can address questions and concerns from the public.

“They’re trying to figure out ‘Is it really a $450 million project or a $250 million project or is there a way to value engineer something?'” [Lake Oswego Mayor Jack Hoffman] said. “From my perspective, instead of frustrating people and having people testify about a project that might not be the project that’s forwarded, let’s pause, get additional data and reexamine certain assumptions.”

Project consultants in particular will examine if portions of the proposed line in Powers Marine Park, Dunthorpe and Riverdale could be reduced to one track, said Doug Obletz, a consultant to TriMet who heads the project management group. The team will also update the project budget, the financing plan, the project design and the appraisal of the Willamette Shore Line right of way, the existing rail line where the streetcar would likely run.

“At this point, we believe there are opportunities to significantly reduce the cost of the project,” Obletz said. “We don’t have a specific figure in mind, but we believe the project has been unfairly tagged with this $458 million tag. I think our job will be to debunk that figure and come up with a realistic figure.”

Read more at OregonLive.com.

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