MBTA officials are seeking outside counsel to help with negotiations and the bidding process involved with the Green Line extension project, which could end up costing nearly $1 billion more than the T’s estimates from last year.
In August, T officials revealed the project could cost $700 million to $1 billion more than previous cost estimates, which could threaten the future of the extension into Medford and Somerville.
The outside counsel will come in addition to an audit that will soon be commissioned to examine how the project’s cost estimates ballooned from about $2 billion to up to $3 billion.
Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said the governor expects MBTA officials to develop next steps for the long-awaited project by Thanksgiving, and that T staff are still considering ways to cut down on costs and secure extra revenue for the extension.
Nicole Dungca can be reached at nicole.dungca@globe.com.