The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority abruptly cancelled contracts with several contractors this week who are engaged in the construction of the Green Line Extension. A recent review found that the project’s “unrealistic” schedule demands drove decision-making and costs, MassDOT officials said in a press release. The cost to complete the extension of the light rail line along existing rail alignments had increased by nearly a billion since the project began. The project, also known as GLX, is expected to exceed previous budget estimates by as much as $700 million to $1 billion, The Boston Globe reported in August. The nearly five mile line was initially expected to be completed for a little less than $2 billion.

The MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board and Massachusetts DOT will review contracts over the next 90 days and determine whether the project will be able to proceed.

—Passenger Train Journal