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City Transportation Boss Defends 'Modifications' In Nearly Complete Loop Link Project

(CBS) -- The "Loop Link" project is almost finished. But the project hit its share of roadblocks.

For the first time the city's transportation commissioner answered CBS 2's questions about some highly visible missteps with the project. There are also new numbers about what it will cost Chicago taxpayers, CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports.

Workers placed glass atop the new bus shelters along Washington Street on Friday as the Loop Link project nears completion.

CBS 2 cameras were rolling early this month when crews tore up freshly paved lanes for a do-over.

"As with any construction project, when you get to construction there are unexpected circumstances that you encounter," says Rebekah Scheinfeld, commissioner for the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Project officials say the CTA demanded wider lanes for its buses.

"The point is that we're getting this right. We made minor modifications," Scheinfeld says.

CDOT says the project will cost a total of $41 million. That is some $10 million higher than written estimates released in March. A department spokesperson says the new, higher figure includes design costs.

The design firm that's being paid $10 million for the Loop Link project is run by a former top City Hall official.  The firm deferred all questions to the city.

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