It ain't just California where rail boondoggle costs are exploding

Cost estimates for two light rail lines, including a downtown tunnel, have increased from $5.8 billion to $10.3 billion, per a Project Connect briefing memo in April.

The Orange Line would link North and South Austin and the Blue Line would run from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to downtown. A commuter rail line and additional bus service are also included in the plan.

Voters in 2020 approved a city tax hike to pay for the project.

The reasons for the spiraling costs come down to soaring real estate expenses, with budget estimates for right-of-way for the two light rail lines jumping from $250 million to $1.19 billion.