Lancaster, Pa., official raps Amtrak for cost overruns

Though it was difficult, James Cowhey did manage to contain his emotions Monday, the Intelligencer Journal reports.

"I have never been so
angry in my life," said the executive director of the Lancaster County,
Pa., Planning Commission. "This is outrageous."

The normally reserved
Cowhey got riled when he told members of the county’s Transportation Technical
Advisory Committee that Amtrak recently informed him it was tripling its fee
for the renovation of the Lancaster station. The county is paying for the work
being done on the station along McGovern Avenue.

"This community is
gifting a renovated station to Amtrak," Cowhey said of the $12-million
project.

Instead of being grateful,
he said the nation’s passenger rail service is demanding more. And that demand
is threatening to halt the renovations, leaving the station unfinished, he
said.

Amtrak officials did not
immediately respond to a call seeking comment Monday afternoon.

After more than a decade of
discussion and planning, renovation work began last fall on the station. The
project calls for the renovation of the interior and exterior of the
81-year-old station, including the expansive granite-and-marble main level and
concourse. Lower-level offices and work areas also are being redone.

The parking area outside
the station is being enlarged and a new passenger dropoff and pickup point is
being added. The station’s driveway will be connected to North Duke Street, the
station will be made more handicapped accessible and space is being made for
retailers. Also, air conditioning is being added. The 18-month project is
expected to be completed next spring.

As part of the contract,
Amtrak required that its workers be used for part of the project. Amtrak
initially estimated its workers could do the electrical work and painting for
$833,280, Cowhey said. A year ago, before the work actually began, Cowhey said
he received notice from Amtrak that it had underestimated its costs. The bill
would be about double the initial estimate. Last week, Cowhey said, the latest
estimate arrived. Amtrak said the work now would cost $2.5 million. Cowhey said
a $1.1 million reserve was budgeted for the project but the latest cost
estimate would leave the project $600,000 over budget.

Transportation committee
member Ray D’Agostino balked.

"I’ll be darned if I
vote to give them any more money," D’Agostino said.

Committee member Paula
Jackson, a Lancaster city planner, said the other contractors working on the
project would have to absorb a loss if they underestimated their costs.

Dennis Sloand, a state
official with the transportation department, said it looks like Amtrak is
holding the county hostage. However, he said intransigence wouldn’t help.

"Then you are left
with a half-finished station," he said.

Cowhey said he would try to
get more information from Amtrak. He said he had seen nothing to justify the
increased cost. One line item in a spreadsheet showed the cost of telephones
climbing from $750 to $250,000, Cowhey said.

"There is no rhyme or
reason to miss something by that amount. What is that – 2,000 percent?" he
asked.

Cowhey said he also would
try to contact Congressman Joe Pitts, and Sen. Bob Casey. He said he hopes the
federal legislators can get the attention of top Amtrak officials. Cowhey said
his communication has been with lower-level officials.

The frustrated Cowhey also
said the county had paid $1 million from its general fund for the design work
for the renovation, in addition to its $400,000 contribution toward
construction.

"This community has
put a lot of treasure into this building," he said.