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A Resolution of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, setting forth County policy regarding the construction of a tunnel, commonly known as the North Shore Connector project.
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WHEREAS, principles of sound fiscal management mitigate against undertaking large public works projects with uncertain budgets; and
WHEREAS, cost overruns for tunnel projects are historically unpredictable and potentially very large, such as in Boston's “Big Dig” project, for which the original budget was $2.5 billion when the project began in 1998, yet for which the final budget was $14.6 billion when it was finally completed in 2003; and
WHEREAS, County Council has not been provided with specific information on additional funding sources and amounts for this project, if any; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Transportation currently estimates the total budget for this project to be $381 million; and
WHEREAS, it has been estimated that the County of Allegheny will have to contribute three and one third percent of the total initial project estimated budget of $390 million; and
WHEREAS, the County of Allegheny does not have sufficient funding to repair and/or replace existing infrastructure and capital intense projects such as county road systems and bridges that are badly in need of repair; and
WHEREAS, there are existing bridges and systems that could be readily converted to provide comparable access to the North Shore at a cost considerably less than a tunnel; and
WHEREAS, the possibility exists that far more transportation infrastructure can be accomplished with the funds needed to construct a tunnel; and
WHEREAS, County Council would like to have the funds applied to other transportation projects throughout the county in greater need of repair and replacement; and
WHEREAS, County Council has, for this and other reasons, previously expressed its opposition to the North Shore Connector tunnel in unequivocal terms;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby resolves as follows:
SECTION 1.
County Council hereby expresses its intent to oppose the use of any County funds for the construction of a tunnel and urges our representatives in Congress and the Senate to explore the possibility of earmarking the funds for the construction of a system that serves as many constituents within the County as possible. Furthermore, it is the Will of Council that the Port Authority explore other options to connect the North Shore as well as other critical transportation arteries throughout the County.
SECTION 2.
Copies of this Resolution shall be transmitted to regional representatives of U.S. Congress, the U.S. Senate, the Port Authority, and the United States Department of Transportation.
SECTION 3.
If any provision of this Resolution shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Resolution which shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION 4.
Any Resolution or Ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Resolution is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Resolution.