New HRT chief calls for less drama
By Patrick Terpstra, 13News
Posted on January 29, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Updated Friday, Jan 29 at 7:19 PM
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NORFOLK — After months of finger-pointing and confusion about why “The Tide” light rail project is over budget and behind schedule, incoming HRT chief Phil Shucet says he’s focusing forward.
Shucet, a former VDOT commissioner under then-Gov. Mark Warner, agreed Thursday to a one-year contract with HRT with the option to extend another six months.
“I enjoy the challenge of bringing an end to drama,” Shucet said Friday.
He takes the reins of HRT on Monday when Michael Townes officially leaves the post under fire for the troubles surrounding “The Tide,” which is about $100 million over budget and a year behind schedule.
Shucet said he has no immediate plans to replace any senior managers at HRT.
“No one should be concerned about losing their jobs,” Shucet stated. “Everyone should be concerned about doing their jobs and doing it very well.”
Shucet said he cannot guarantee no more cost increases, but he will guarantee more transparency.
He says he wants to use the agency’s Web site to post an accurate estimate at all times of the cost to complete light rail and a date for when construction will be complete.
“Whenever we run across something unanticipated that will be news to share,” Shucet said.
He is reviewing all contracts associated with light rail and says some will be rewritten to include caps on costs.