By Tom Weber, KWMU

Clayton, MO – A St. Louis County jury today ruled against Metro in its $80 million lawsuit against a group of companies it first hired to build the new Metrolink extension.

Metro, in fact, has to pay more than $2 million to the group known as the Cross County Collaborative as part of its counter-suit. Metro claimed the group was to blame for more than $100 million in cost overruns to the extension which opened last year.

Metro President Larry Salci avoided reporters after the trial but one of the agency's lawyers, Gordon Ankney, spoke instead. He said they're disappointed but still feel firing the group was the right thing to do.

"And we especially don't second guess taking over the completion of the because I think we did a great job. It's beautiful running system and we're happy with it."

Charles Seris is a teacher who spent more than 100 days in the courtroom as a juror.

"I just don't think that they, in our minds, met the burden of proof on whether things were more likely or less likely. You know, you set a high bar for yourselves and you just didn't make it."

A Metro lawyer says the agency is disappointed and has not decided whether to appeal.

Court officials say the trial was the longest-ever for a civil case in St. Louis County.

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