The provincial government is demanding the city rethink parts of the Green Line over concerns it’s “at a high risk of going extremely over budget,” according to a letter obtained by Postmedia.

The letter from Transportation Minister Ric McIver says the province supports moving the Green Line ahead “in a well-planned and timely manner,” and maintains its $1.53-billion funding promise for the massive LRT expansion. But McIver says a provincial review of the project has identified issues with costs, the city’s procurement plans and project timing.

McIver says he believes the city sees the province’s review as a “formality exercise that is simply delaying the beginning of construction,” and he rejects that.

“It is plainly evident that the city does not currently understand the depth of our concerns and the seriousness with which we take them, so allow me to be clear: the Green Line is not a functional transit project in its current form, the Province will not approve it as currently designed.”