Latest news with #MetroGreenLine
CBS News
07-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
SWLRT audit prompts more Met Council criticism from Minnesota lawmakers
Minnesota state auditors on Monday released the results of their investigation into construction of the Metropoilitan Council's oft-delayed and over budget Southwest Light Rail Transit project. The Office of the Legislative Auditor's report found "instances of noncompliance and weaknesses in internal controls" in cost discrepancies, work with certain subcontractors, contaminated soils and security. The audit focused on "construction activities and the work performed by the civil construction contractor, Lunda/C.S. McCrossan Joint Venture," the OLA said. The 14.5-mile extension of the Metro Green Line from downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie is the most expensive public works project in state history at $2.8 billion. Construction began in 2018 and has been delayed numerous times. The Metropolitan Council expects it to be up and running sometime in 2027. At a hearing Monday morning with the Legislative Audit Commission, the Metropolitan Council responded to the findings. "Most importantly, as I mentioned before, there were no overpayments and we have protected, we believe, taxpayers' interests in delivering this project," Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle said. "Southwest Light Rail, or we refer to as the Green Line Extension, is a generational investment in a transformative network of transit throughout this metro area." Lawmakers on both sides excoriated the Met Council during the hearing. "There is a big problem in the Met Council, the way they conduct business, spending other people's money," Republican state Sen. Calvin Bahr said. "People work hard for their money, and all three of your problems go so over budget, it's like you don't care." "We will continue to get these results because that's the way the system is designed. It's up to the public to rise up if they want better outcomes from this regional body," DFL state Sen. Scott Dibble said. The auditors' full findings and recommendations can be found on the OLA website . Two years ago, an OLA report found the Met Council wasn't fully transparent about the project's cost overruns and delays and began construction without securing the necessary funds for completion. The council's alleged mismanagement of the SWLRT project has led to calls to reform the unelected body.
Express Tribune
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
No payment made to bike lane contractor: Azma
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has clarified that the paint used on bike lanes in the Lahore was applied by a local company on a trial basis under a one-year guarantee. She emphasised in a statement that Punjab government funds had not been spent and no payment had been made to the company. "As part of the trial phase, the same firm will reapply the paint at no additional cost," she stated, responding to recent comments by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Adviser Barrister Saif. Drawing a comparison of the matter with Peshawar's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, she said, "Over the past five years, the Peshawar BRT has faced persistent inefficiencies, with more downtime than operational time, and has been frequently involved in accidents." She added, "The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government still owes Rs60 billion for the Peshawar Metro project, with the BRT case pending in an international court." She said Barrister Saif is deflecting attention from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's shortcomings by unfairly targeting Punjab's progress. "Those unable to demonstrate their own government's achievements often resort to undermining others' successful initiatives," she remarked. She said, "To date, the K-P government's spokesperson has failed to present any report on his chief minister's performance. Meanwhile, citizens in K-P continue to risk their lives crossing rivers on makeshift rafts and containers." The minister stated, "Following the successful launches of the Metro Bus and Orange Train systems, Punjab is now advancing plans for tram services and the underground Metro Green Line project to further enhance urban mobility."
