Audit: NY 911 effort $1B over budget, 7 years late

The Associated Press
Published: Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012 - 11:01 am

NEW YORK -- An audit says technical problems and poor project controls have put New York City's 911-system overhaul over budget and behind schedule.

The audit by the office of city Comptroller John Liu was released Wednesday. It says the project is now expected to cost $2.3 billion instead of $1.3 billion, and be completed in 2015. That's seven years after the original deadline.

The audit found that technical issues prevented the city from implementing a shared dispatch system for emergency-response departments. It's also delayed the opening of a backup center meant to ensure service in a disaster.

Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway says the city long ago identified the issues and has taken steps to address them.

He says he's "gratified that the audit validates the city's management decisions."

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