Wake County apparently will not go forward with their segment of light-rail transit. It was told by three experts independently that it is not dense enough and is “highly unlikely” to get federal funding. Despite that change, Triangle Transit plans to spend an additional $30 million required to apply for funding from the Federal Transit Authority for the Durham-Chapel Hill portion. If funding is denied, Orange and Durham counties will have squandered over $30 million. With that much money at risk, shouldn’t we at least ask whether the risk of not getting funding has become too high to proceed?
Many supporters of light-rail transit appear to be unwilling to even address the question. Their view is that the decision was made a year ago by the voters and that in any event, the basis for Wake County’s apparent decision is irrelevant to the proposed Durham-Chapel Hill light-rail transit project.
What, then, is the responsibility of elected officials? When circumstances change do we just say “the decision was made and it is the will of the voters” or do we have a responsibility to at least have a careful discussion of what may have changed and whether taking the additional $30 million risk is no longer prudent? My view is the citizens of Orange and Durham counties deserve a re-evaluation.
If the application is denied who will take responsibility? Will current elected officials step up and say “we made the wrong judgment” or will they blame it on the voters? As just one elected official I strongly believe we need to reconsider the risk that is being taken. To my knowledge Orange and Durham counties have never risked a sum remotely close to $30 million before. The final conclusion may be to continue with the application — or not — but the failure of elected officials to reconsider it is irresponsible.
Two arguments against further discussion are used constantly. First, that light-rail is superior to any alternatives and, second, that residents already approved the transit tax. The response to the first is that it doesn’t matter what we think. What matters is what the FTA thinks. What is the basis for our belief that the FTA will approve funding? The response to the second is that the circumstances may have changed and elected officials have a fiduciary obligation to reconsider. No one is arguing against funding transit. The issue is funding transit prudently.
