Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, has joined Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point, in her request for an audit of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s oversight and management of private contractors.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is overseeing the initial 29 mile stretch of California’s High-Speed Rail system.

“When voters approved the High-Speed Rail project in 2008, they were told it would cost a fraction of what is now projected. While I still oppose the project, we must ensure the High-Speed Rail authority is spending money effectively and efficiently,” Wilk said.

When voters passed the measure in 2008, the estimated cost of the project was $36 billion. The estimated total cost for the project has nearly doubled at $68.5 billion.

The project when finished will set up a high-speed rail system that connects Los Angeles to San Francisco and give travelers the opportunity to travel between destinations within 3 hours.

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The State Auditor has raised troubling concerns in two previously issued reports. They described the Authority’s weak management infrastructure, inadequate oversight capabilities, poor contract management and overreliance on private contractors.

The project is set to break ground this summer 2013 after previous delays and is set to be completed December 2017.