Committee advances bill to pause Blue Line Extension spending to Ways and Means after testimony for and against

Representative Michael Robbins introduced House File 14 on Feb. 11, 2025, proposing a temporary pause on state expenditures for the Blue Line Extension until the Southwest Light Rail Line is operational and the Southwest project’s schedule and costs can be fully assessed. Robbins said the proposal was intended to “help save taxpayers money” by avoiding repeating cost and schedule overruns seen on the Southwest project and to encourage evaluation of lower-cost alternatives such as bus rapid transit.

The committee heard roughly two hours of mixed testimony from regional officials, advocacy organizations and local elected leaders. Supporters of the bill, including Robbins and some members of the public who testified, urged caution about large capital commitments after the Southwest project’s multi‑year delays and cost increases. Representative Robbins said Southwest’s projected cost had grown from about $1.25 billion (2011 estimate) to a current projection of roughly $2.9 billion and…