BART’s controversial Oakland Airport Connector project is forecast to come in a couple million dollars under budget, according to the latest updates on the undertaking.

Currently, the automated-rail project, which will connect passengers at BART’s Coliseum Station to the Oakland International Airport, is projected to cost $480.8 million. No small penny for a 3.2-mile project that will replace existing service, but its actually about $3.3 million less than the $484.1 million budgeted for the OAC when it was approved last year.

That funding update, along with the OAC’s projected start date — Spring 2014 — will be discussed at BART’s board of directors meeting on Thursday.

wreisman@sfexaminer.com