Public meeting July 10 regarding Fourth Plain review panel report

The expert review panel appointed to conduct an independent evaluation of C-TRAN’s high-capacity-transit plans released its findings and recommendations report yesterday. The Governor’s office and legislative leaders appointed the panel in March 2012 to review assumptions and decisions within C-TRAN’s transit plans for bus rapid transit and light rail in Vancouver. The panel will present its findings and recommendations to the C-TRAN Regional Policy Committee at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, at the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., in room 680. For bus rapid transit plans on Fourth Plain Blvd., the report shows that, while the panel found that the cost assumptions underlying the operations and maintenance of the proposed system were reasonable and in line with industry standards, the panel concludes that C-TRAN’s expectation for the federal share of capital costs is too optimistic. The panel suggests lowering it from 80% to 70%. For details, visit www.highcapacityerp.com.