Minnesota Senate unanimously approves light rail audit

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate has voted unanimously to approve an audit of a more than $2 billion light rail project that’s been marred by delays and cost overruns.

The bill allocates $200,000 to the Legislative Auditor’s office to conduct a special review of the Southwest Light Rail Transit project. The project is shaping up as one of the most expensive public works projects in state history.

The 14.5-mile Green Line extension is now estimated to be passenger ready by 2027 at a cost of $2.75 billion, which is hundreds of millions more expensive and four years later than originally planned.