Walz signs bill requiring audit for Southwest Light Rail Transit project

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law Thursday authorizing a special review of the behind-schedule, overbudget Southwest Light Rail Transit project.

The Legislative Auditor would be required to conduct an audit to determine why the project’s projected cost has ballooned to $2.75 billion with a completion date pushed back to 2027. The bill also requires the Metropolitan Council to notify legislative leaders any time the project is delayed by six months or more or when there’s a projected cost overrun of 5% or more beyond the most recent estimate.

RELATED: Senator calls Southwest LRT project ‘boondoggle,’ Walz pushes forward with more LRT funding

A $200,000 budget has been allocated for the audit.

The Senate unanimously approved the audit, and the House had a similarly overwhelming vote in favor, with just one representative voting against the final version of the bill.

When completed, the SWLRT project will extend the Green Line from Target Field to Eden Prairie.