On Monday, Seattle City Council is expected to learn more about cost overruns on the city's new streetcar line.
Mayor Jenny Durkan announced work on the project be immediately halted Friday. The mayor's office says the "Center City Connector" faces a $23 million shortfall because of design expeditures, rising construction costs, and underestimating the full cost of the street car vehicles.
The project is now estimated at $200 million, about $27 million more than originally thought. The project was previously estimated at $177 million.
The mayor's office says the project is facing a $23 million shortfall driven by "increased design expenditures, escalating construction costs, and errors in estimating the full cost of the streetcar vehicles."
Durkan's decision comes a week after ordering an independent review of the costs related to the Center City Connector, according to a release.
"The City of Seattle has a critical obligation to spend taxpayer dollars wisely and an equal obligation to transparency,” said Mayor Durkan.
Last week, Seattle City Council member Lisa Herbold expressed her concern for the project and called for a pause on the multi-million dollar project.
Following the mayor's announcement, Herbold released a statement Friday that read in part, “This step is necessary to ensure that the independent review ordered by the Mayor is meaningful. Had work proceeded as scheduled-especially in awarding a construction contract- it would be more difficult to integrate the results of the independent review, or delay or stop the project."
Durkan joins the City Attorney's Office to investigate the project's management.
Senior Deputy Mayor Mike Fong says the project will not move forward until all reviews and investigations are complete, issues surrounding costs are resolved, and the city can determine if additional financial resources are necessary.
Council members will learn are expected to get a briefing Monday morning.
