C-Tran officials say that new cost projections for operating and maintaining the future Interstate 5 Bridge show major savings.
Updated estimates presented to the C-Tran Board on Oct. 14 show operations and maintenance costs at $10.3 million a year by 2035, down from the previous $21.8 million estimate for 2033.
The lower cost reflects fewer transit trips in the revised bridge plan. The new forecast assumes light rail trains every 15 minutes, all day, and express buses every 7.5 minutes during peak hours. Earlier estimates assumed 6.7-minute peak light rail service and express buses every three minutes.
The total operations and maintenance costs would be shared between Washington and Oregon under the current plan.
