Local News

DAYTON — A project to develop a streetcar system connecting the University of area with downtown Dayton would cost about three times as much as the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority estimated last year, according to a consultant's study.

Consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff were hired to look at other streetcar systems around the country and project how much it would cost to establish a line of about two miles from Caldwell Street to Third and Main streets.

To lay track, install overhead electrical line, buy cars and other expenses, Parsons Brinckerhoff said the cost would be about $125 million. Operating the system would cost about $2 million annually.

Transit authority officials last year gave a rough estimate that such a streetcar line would cost about $40 million to build and $700,000 a year to run.

Mark Donaghy, executive director of the transit authority, said the consultant's study looked at a slightly longer route than the transit authority considered last year. Also the consultant took into account a projected high rate of inflation and other factors that raised the projected costs.

Donaghy said the consultant provided a fair estimate of the costs, but the local project could probably be done for less.

Donaghy said the next step will be for a task force formed last year to study streetcar options to review the consultant's report and make a recommendation to the transit authority board.

The transit authority would seek federal and state funding for a streetcar system, but has said the agency can't afford to commit any resources to the project.