HENNEPIN County Board of Commissioners voted by a 5:2 majority on May 31 to increase the county’s funding commitment to Minneapolis’ Southwest Light Rail project to cover an increase in cost.

The 23km Green Line Extension line connecting Minneapolis with St Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie is now likely to cost an extra $US 145m due to higher material prices, a tight labour market and delays. It brings the Southwest Light Rail project’s total estimated construction to $US 2bn.
The county will now fund $US 190m and the railway authority, $US 14m.

Later this summer, the board is expected to vote to extend funding into 2019. It is hoped to start construction later this year.