What is a Business Case?
The Link21 Business Case is a decision-making framework that guides the investment decisions for the Program. The Link21 Team relies on the Business Case process and metrics to evaluate potential solutions, ensuring that only the most effective, achievable, and appropriate solutions are moved forward and recommended for implementation.
The Business Case process evaluates passenger, societal, economic, and environmental benefits and risks across the Megaregion and is organized by four key cases: Strategic, Economic, Financial, and Deliverability Each area incorporates equity as a foundational element and has its own set of quantitative and qualitative metrics that are used to evaluate proposed rail solutions.
The Preliminary Business Case guiding Phase 1 work focuses on the Strategic Case to make sure that Link21 concepts are developed to align with Program Goals and Objectives. Built on a commitment to transparent and evidence-based decision-making, the Business Case will evolve as Link21 planning progresses. Future work will increase attention on Program funding and deliverability.
What Makes Up a Business Case?
The Link21 Business Case encompasses four main cases, all incorporating equity as a foundational element:
The Business Case will be used through the entire life-cycle of Link21, from the generation of bright ideas to the analysis and recommendation of specific projects to be funded, constructed, and operated.
Link21 is using metrics across all four key cases to assess Program concepts. As the planning phases progress and assessment continues, additional metrics could be added to refine concepts to identify the best solutions.
Click the dropdowns below to learn more about four key areas of the Business Case and example metrics we are using to evaluate concepts. Read the full list of current metrics.
Concept Evaluation Process
Concepts are being assessed through multiple rounds of evaluation to understand benefits and trade-offs. Performing this in-depth screening of concepts in this early Phase of planning will help limit the number of proposed alternatives that go through the detailed analysis required for environmental review in Phase 2. It also provides early opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and the public at each step of assessment to listen, learn, and seek input that is aiding in concept refinement. To find out more about what we’ve learned and where we are with concept evaluation, visit the Planning Activities page.