Southwest Light Rail to undergo review by legislative auditor’s office

Lawmakers took an unusual – though not unheard of – step of passing legislation calling for an audit.

The Office of the Legislative Auditor will conduct a special review or program evaluation of the Green Line extension, known as the Southwest light rail transit project. The 14.5-mile passenger rail line being built between downtown Minneapolis and Eden Prairie, and overseen by the Metropolitan Council, has experienced significant cost overruns and project delays.

Along with exploring reasons for the delays, the office is encouraged to evaluate design choices and current practices on cost estimating, contracting, negotiations, management, and hiring.

The Metropolitan Council is required to update the Legislature twice per year on the project.

Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. D. Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls) sponsor the law that took effect March 25, 2022.

HF3035*/SF2676/CH39

HF3035* / SF2676 / CH39