Metro Crash Safety Repairs Price Tag: $ One Billion!

The much vaunted N.T.S.B. July report on their investigation of the deadly Fort Totten Metro crash laid out 15 recommendations for improved safety. http://www.ntsb.gov/events/2010/washington-dc-metro/closing-statement.htm

The price tag has now surfaced, $ 1 Billion. The primary expense, replacing the old, less safe, 1000 series rail cars at $835 million. Track circuit module replacement a mere $55 million. Safety analysis of of the so-called automatic train-control system a trifling $25 million and so on. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/01/AR2010090106151.html?hpid=newswell

The whereabouts of the money, ah there is the rub. The Metro Board Chairman evidently thinks that $300 million in federal/local money will do the trick. From where I am sitting it looks like too little too late. http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=30&sid=2042164