What started out as a $2-4M project to raise the platforms and build ramps at the Newton Highlands station has ballooned into a project with a $32M budget when I last checked the link. It seems to go up every time I look, without explanation. (It was listed at $22M earlier this year, $7.4 million back in 2016) Making this station accessible is a must, but as is often the case, a state infrastructure project has spun out of control. Is there any oversight? Pols have been proud to point out that the Highlands project is on schedule, unaffected by Covid and budget cutbacks. Meanwhile, other accessibility projects like the Newton Commuter Rail stations are on hold and the MBTA threatens deep service cuts that will impact everyone.
Why is anyone surprised? Everyone gets to feed from the trough
Sounds like another Newton North High School. Time for the Inspector General to launch an investigation.
I hadn’t paid attention to this project before, and I am shocked by the astronomical increase in projected costs. As Adam points out, such increases will hurt efforts to fund equally worthy projects nearby. But I couldn’t find much online to explain why, and I hope that Adam discovers the explanation beyond generalities about government waste.
Remember the days when the Newton Tab investigated such local developments? Boy, do we need some investigative journalism around here now! Whatever happened to those young interns at the Globe? Investigating the Highlands T renovation would provide a worthier journalistic experience than covering “zoning reform,” which is now delayed in any event.