Not So Fast! House Majority Leader Objects To Federal Sound Transit Funding

By Carleen Johnson

Summary

Tom Delay says Seattle's light rail project is a boondoggle, and anything but cost effective.

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Story Published: Jul 14, 2003 at 6:45 AM PST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 12:06 AM PST

Not So Fast! House Majority Leader Objects To Federal Sound Transit Funding
SEATTLE - Now that the Bush Administration has agreed to provide a half a billion dollars in funding for Sound Transit's light rail line, Congress has 60 days to consider it before it's official.

But if the House majority leader gets his way, Seattle WON'T get the funding.

House Majority Leader Tom Delay says Seattle's light rail project is a boondoggle, and anything but cost effective.

"You're spending anywhere from 25-to-30 percent of your transportation dollars to carry 4 percent of the traffic," Delay said. "It just doesn't make sense."

On Friday, the Bush Administration agreed to give the project $500 million, but at the same time a subcommittee showed its concerns by delaying the initial $75 million to get things going.

Congressman Delay, who was in town Monday for a fundraiser for State Rep. Jennifer Dunn, says nothing is final until it crosses his committee.

Congress has 60 days now to consider the full funding.