text: Your number isn't related to reality at all. The route was an even firmly decided at the time 2.7 billion was offered as a possible construction cost. 
  
  The most recent estimate based on more firmly established data is 8.2 billion. It's only a little bit more than the 5.7 billion estimated at the time the federal proposal was offered. 
  
  And that's mainly because rail opponents delayed rail with frivolous lawsuits.