Union Pacific is considering the elimination of a railroad grade crossing by

constructing a dual$-$track overpass. The railroad subcontracts for maintenance of its

crossing gates at $$11,500$ per year, starting next year $($year $1).$ However, beginning

$4$ years from now the costs are expected to increase by $10\%$ per year into the

foreseeable future $($that is$,$ $$12,650$ in year $4,$ $$13,915$ in year $5,$ etc.$).$ If the

railroad uses a $10-$year study period and an interest rate of $15\%$ per year, how

much could the railroad afford to spend now on the overpass in lieu of the

maintenance contracts?