Rail Real Estate Bill More Than Expected

SEATTLE-The bill for a variety of real estate acquisitions to complete a light-rail line in the Seattle-Everett-Tacoma area has come in $7 million over projections, according to Sound Transit, the agency in charge of completing the 40-mile route.

In addition, new estimates to complete the project would be “impossible to calculate,” according to Paul Price, the agency’s commuter-rail director, until negotiations with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad were completed later this year. The railroad owns approximately 82 miles of track that Sound Transit will have to rent and improve before the light-rail line is completed.