Letter to the Editor: Loop Trolley Questions

At the May 14 meeting of the City Council of University City it was obvious that city officials still don't have answers to many questions about the proposed Loop Trolley, a project that could have a significant impact on both the Loop and the city.   

The Cross County MetroLink Extension Project should serve as a warning for what can happen with these projects. Though not on the same scale, it demonstrates how so many things can go wrong. The extension, from Forest Park to Shrewsbury, started at a cost of around $325 million and then went to around $550 million when the tunnels and other costs were added.

After many more problems were encountered, combined with a considerable amount of incompetence, the construction cost went to $675 million. With finance charges the cost will be $1.1 billion -- nearly $150 million a mile. One example of how unknown costs can skyrocket was the $44 million spent for utility relocations on the project. 

Though is not building the trolley project, it has a vested interest in seeing the project is viable and that taxpayers aren't left with a bankrupt trolley system or that it has a negative effect on Loop businesses. 

Some specific issues:

1. The cost of the project. These kind of projects almost always end up costing more than planned. Sometimes a lot more. There needs to be credible estimates and I don't know if there are any. In 2009, the estimate was as much as $55 million but now $45 million is being given. It should be noted that the CH2M Hill consulting firm is involved. In 2003, the firm underestimated a project for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) by about $25 million.
2. The security issue. The trolley would traverse a very dangerous route that has seen quite a lot of problems in recent years. The Delmar and Forest Park Metro stations have had the most trouble and these are the stations the trolley would connect to. Of course, the Loop has also had problems. The trolley would be a prime target for the troublemakers and there is little that can be done to stop them.
3. The safety issue. Any time a light rail or trolley system is put above ground and mixes with traffic, it is a prescription for trouble. It was just reported last week there were 118 crashes involved with Phoenix's light rail system since 2009. Same as the proposed Loop Trolley, it runs on the street. When the Loop Trolley cars are mixed with cars, buses, motorcycles, bicyclers, skateboarders, rollerbladers and all the pedestrians who are constantly crossing Delmar at numerous points, it is inevitable there will be accidents and people are going to get hurt. 
4. Parking on Delmar to go? It has to be wondered if it hasn't already been planned that parking on Delmar, especially between Kingsland and Skinker, will need to be removed and that this information is being held back -- same as the overhead wires were. In addition to all the activity on Delmar, tractor-trailers park in the middle lane when making deliveries as there is no other place to go. UPS and FedEx trucks double-park on Delmar when making deliveries as they likewise have no other place to go. With parking as it is, the trolley has the potential to make traffic flow much worse in the U.City part of the Loop. 
5. Overhead wires and substations. MetroLink requires substations to power the system. They are about the size of a small garage and spread around the system. (One is next to the Forest Park Parkway, just west of Big Bend.) Will they be needed for the Loop Trolley? If so, where will they be placed?
6. The Trolley Cars. It was thought that modern cars would be used but now it seems used streetcars from another era are to be acquired to save money. The cars are supposed to be air-conditioned but the one sitting by Commerce Bank does not seem to be. Are they to be retrofitted? Are these older cars ADA compliant?  
7. Performance bond needed. Given all the uncertainties in the Loop Trolley Project, a performance bond is definitely needed to protect University City taxpayers. I would say a minimum of $25 million should be required.

I think it would be in the city's best interest to hire a competent outside consultant to review all the plans for the Loop Trolley. However, I think the proposal should be put on the ballot so University City voters can make the final decision. 

Tom Sullivan

University City