Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) 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. 

“We have heard so many horror stories about Southwest Light Rail that it borders on ridiculous,” Jasinski said. “While Republicans have been critical about the program from the start, the overwhelming bipartisan support for this audit tells you just how big of a disaster the project has become. I’m looking forward to getting to the bottom of it.”

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.