Audit blasts cost overruns on Met Council light rail project

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Metropolitan Council found itself responsible for significant cost overruns on the Southwest Light Rail Transit project without having secured the necessary funds. Additionally, it lacked a contingency plan to source the required funding, according to a report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor released on Wednesday.

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In a highly critical report, the nonpartisan auditor's office added that the regional governing agency hasn't been fully transparent about the escalating costs and delays plaguing the project.

Before construction began in 2019, the Met Council estimated the 14.5-mile light rail line extending from downtown Minneapolis to suburban Eden Prairie would cost slightly over $2 billion and open by 2023. Now, the council predicts the line won't be operational until 2027 and that costs will approach nearly $2.8 billion, positioning it among the most expensive public works projects in Minnesota's history.

Even before construction began, the Federal Transit Administration expressed concerns about the council's ability to manage unexpected cost overruns, according to the report. By early 2022, the council's obligations had already exceeded the budget allocated to the project.

"The Council did not have enough funds to finish the project, and it also did not have enough funds to halt the project," the report stated.

The project's financial instability has prompted bipartisan criticism. The council now needs to find an additional $650 million to $750 million to complete and service the line. This report further complicates that task.

"Not another penny of state money should be spent on Southwest Light Rail. That should go without saying," said Sen. John Jasinski, of Faribault, the lead Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee. "We have no confidence in the Metropolitan Council to properly manage or complete the project, let alone to do so with any fiscal prudence or at any value to the taxpayers.”

The cost overruns stem mainly from the construction of a half-mile tunnel in the Kenilworth neighborhood of Minneapolis. The tunnel was intended to avoid conflicts with existing freight rail, pedestrian traffic, and bicycle traffic in the narrow corridor between two lakes. However, significant groundwater and soil issues subsequently arose, and a condominium complex suffered damage attributed to the construction activities.

The recent evaluation scrutinized decision-making processes within the unelected Metropolitan Council, whose 17 board members are appointed by the governor. A follow-up evaluation focusing on the council's contractor oversight and cost control mechanisms will be released this spring. Additionally, a financial audit of the project is also underway.

Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and her team recommended several improvements. One key recommendation is to require the council to accept partial responsibility for cost overruns, given its oversight role in the light rail construction.

Charles Zelle, chairman of the council, agreed with this recommendation but countered several points in the report. In a formal response, he argued that the report "minimizes the Met Council's transparency and accountability to our funding partners."

Zelle also disputed the auditor's conclusion that cost overruns have been "far greater" than those of most comparable major projects nationwide. He wrote that the data in the report indicates the project is "more cost-effective per track mile than other projects of varying size."

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Zelle's responses received a skeptical reception when he appeared before the Legislative Audit Commission during the review of the report. Democratic Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Frank Hornstein, whose districts encompass the Kenilworth corridor and the affected condos, corroborated the auditors' complaints about the difficulty of obtaining information from the council. Both officials advocate for transforming the council into an elected body to enhance its accountability.

"We can rail at the Met Council, but the Met Council is very predictable," Dibble said. "It defended everything that they do and how they do it. ... There's no way to affect the direction or the decision-making of this entity because it's so far removed from the public."

METRO Blue Line trains serve both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, connecting travelers to various destinations including downtown Minneapolis to the north and Mall of America to the south.

Airport Station Locations

The Terminal 1 METRO Blue Line station is located below the Red, Blue, and Silver parking ramps. From the Tram Level (one level below baggage claim), take the tram to the Red, Blue, and Silver parking ramps. Follow the signs to the METRO Blue Line station after exiting the tram.

The Terminal 2 METRO Blue Line station is situated on the north side of the Orange Ramp. From Level 1 near Ticketing, take the elevator or escalator up to the Orange Ramp skyway and follow the signs to the light rail station. Take the escalators or elevators down one level to the station platform.

Both stations are fully accessible.

Frequency

The entire route of the METRO Blue Line operates every 15 to 20 minutes from approximately 5 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Southbound pickups at some stations start as early as 3:30 a.m. (Check the schedule for specific times.) Travel on the METRO Blue Line between airport terminals is available 24 hours a day. You can find the full schedule here.

From the airport, trains can reach the Mall of America in around 12 minutes and the Warehouse District in downtown Minneapolis in about 25 minutes. If you have a layover and plan to leave the airport, ensure you have enough time to travel and return.

Be sure to check the latest METRO Blue Line schedule at Metrotransit.org if you plan to utilize this service.

Fares

• Tickets are sold at ticket machines located at rail stations and on the Metro Transit app.
• Reduced fares are available for seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities. Children 5 and under ride free (limit 3) when accompanied by a paid fare.
• For more information, visit Metro Transit.
• No ticket is required for travel between airport terminal stations.

Inter-Terminal Travel

Use the METRO Blue Line to travel between airport terminals. There is no charge for service between MSP's terminals, and trains operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As an alternative to light rail, complimentary shuttle service is available for passengers with mobility challenges and those with special needs (e.g., physical limitations, elderly, parents with young children, and baggage).

City Bus Service

City bus service (Route 54) is provided by Metro Transit. City buses pick up and drop off at the Transit Center on Level 1 of the Silver Ramp.

There is no bus pickup at Terminal 2. Passengers arriving at Terminal 2 need to take the METRO Blue Line (or another form of transportation) to Terminal 1 to access city buses. The METRO Blue Line service between MSP’s terminals is free of charge and operates 24/7.

For bus fare and route information, contact Metro Transit. Call (612) 373-3333 to speak to a transit expert, get trip planning assistance, or access 24-hour automated transit schedule information. Travelers can also find route details on the Metro Transit website.

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