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Audit Critical Of Cost Overruns On San Francisco Muni Projects

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) –San Francisco Municipal Railway does a poor job of preventing cost overruns on transit projects, according to a new audit, which also reports that 29 projects are averaging almost 600 days behind schedule.

This audit did not include a look at The Central Subway, which is Muni's biggest and most controversial project, but did identify a pattern of cost overruns and delays in 29 other transit projects.

The outside auditors noted a lack of management oversight, which is a serious concern according to San Francisco Supervisor David Campos.

KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:

"I think it's important for us, given the amount of money that's involved and the amount of the millions of dollars that could be saved, that we address these issues," said Campos.

City Transportation Director Ed Reiskin said some extra costs were not overruns, but new elements added along the way to aid pedestrians and bicyclists. Largely though, he said he agreed with the findings.

"To make those dollars go further is absolutely a goal of the agency," said Reiskin.

Project delays cost $90 million, at a time when Muni is contemplating another round of fare hikes.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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