Liz Rao, RTD’s manager of the FasTracks program has resigned to take a job with a private firm.  Of course Ms. Rao says it is unrelated to the recent news of a 68% increase in the cost of the FasTracks or the litany of other issues with the project.  Somehow I don’t expect that is true - she sees an opportunity to abandon a sinking ship and is taking it.  One does have to wonder how her new employer, HNTB Corp, reconciles the huge boondoggle on her resume.  We would be lucky if RTD General Manager Cal Marsella and the RTD Board of Directors would abandon ship as well!  I wonder if HNTB would consider a wholesale hiring of RTD management? 

In Other TaxTracks News:

The Denver Post reports that one of the options being considered to make up for RTD’s failed management of this project is to push back the north line that is supposed to service Thornton over 10 years! 

“Under one scenario, construction of trains to Boulder/Longmont, north Adams County and Aurora’s Interstate 225 corridor — plus extensions of the existing central, southwest and southeast light-rail lines — could be delayed by well over a decade.”

The Rocky Mountain News has published an editorial advocating another option the RTD board will consider – scaling back the project.  This option would remove the north line enitrely, freezing out Thornton.  Can you imagine? 

How much more do we have to take – and pay – before this entire project is brought to an end?

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