Senator Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) and the Minnesota Senate today unanimously voted to audit the beleaguered Southwest Light Rail project, which is years behind schedule and hundreds of millions of dollars over budget with no end in sight. The project is also under investigation for causing damage to nearby buildings. 

“By now we are all very familiar with the problems that have plagued Southwest Light Rail,” Chamberlain said. “It’s hardly surprising, and it’s why many of us opposed this project from the beginning. The audit is desperately needed.”

A Senate amendment to the bill increases reporting and accountability, requiring the Metropolitan Council to notify the Legislature whenever the project is expected to be delayed by 6 months or more, or total costs are expected to increase by 5%.  The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 129-1 on March 3. With the Amendment, the House can either concur with the change or move the bill to a Conference Committee to work out the differences.