LONGMONT — A recent estimate by BNSF Railway Co. suggests that building FasTracks rail service to Longmont will be pricier than expected.
The railway boosted RTD’s original estimate of $894.4 million to a new figure of $1.4 billion, based on right-of-way costs for double tracking and sidings, increased costs for environmental protection and moving utilities, and an up-front cost to operate and maintain the train service.
The estimate assumes all-day service and a 2020 completion date. That date was considered to be the soonest that the Northwest rail line could be completed, if voters approved a fresh four-tenths of a cent sales tax for the Regional Transportation District. RTD’s board has not yet decided to put a sales-tax proposal before voters.
