Denver VA construction could be halted again this month

Members of Congress are warning that construction of the Denver area’s new Veterans Affairs hospital could stop again unless the department shows it is getting the project back on track.

The warning came in a letter Tuesday to VA Secretary Robert McDonald from leaders of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs. In it, they requested a detailed analysis of the project’s costs and updates on efforts to hold people accountable for cost overruns and delays.

Work on the 184-bed hospital being built in suburban Aurora was halted in December because of contract dispute with contractor Kiewit-Turner. Committee members say work is scheduled to stop again on March 29 without additional funding.

Rep. Jeff Miller says it would be irresponsible to provide any more money for construction without some accountability.