By: Randy Salzman | Charlottesville
The Taxpayers for Common Sense, in an October report titled “Sliding Past Sequestration: Two trillion in common sense cuts to avoid the fiscal cliff,” notes that the Charlottesville western bypass is a financial boondoggle:
“The proposed Charlottesville Bypass is a 6.2 mile, four-lane, limited-access highway intended to act as a reliever route for the congested U.S. 29 corridor. This bypass is extremely expensive as compared to similar projects and will cost almost $40 million per mile. Furthermore, state transportation officials found that none of the bypass alternatives would have much, if any, impact on the ‘F level of service’ rating on the existing U.S. 29 corridor. More fiscally responsible alternatives such as overpass and design improvements have shown promise of achieving the same goals without the local opposition that has developed against the bypass. Congress should block any federal funding for this wasteful roadway.” See the referenced report.
TCS notes that halting this project will save taxpayers $244 million — but that’s, of course, more than Skanska bid by about $100 million. Proponents claim, therefore, that the project will come in for much less and make the so-called bypass a better deal.
What proponents neglect, however, is that the design-build process is so riddled with loopholes and lack of information that much of this highway likely will be built off-budget, in expensive change orders, when taxpayers and media are no longer paying attention. That’s likely why there’s an $80 million difference — or 60 percent of Skanska’s entire bid — between low and high bids.
In addition to massive health, safety and environmental reasons for halting this project, it’s now — officially — a waste of taxpayer dollars. Where are our allegedly fiscal-conservative leaders?
Original Publication URL: http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2012/oct/22/western-bypass-waste-money-ar-2300392/
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