WASHINGTON — Construction of a troubled VA hospital in Aurora took another step toward completion Friday when the U.S. Senate agreed to authorize an additional $625 million in spending for the facility.

The extra money is critical. The project already has cost about $1 billion, and the Department of Veterans Affairs needs congressional permission to spend $625 million to finish it.

Without the cash infusion, the project is expected to run out of money in early October — leading to a suspension of work at the site and more costs and delays.

The hospital already is expected to cost $1.67 billion, which is nearly three times what the VA planned to spend in 2011. The agency aims to open the facility by the end of 2017.

“Passage of this authorization is a major step toward the completion of the hospital and should be the last authorization required for construction to be finished and the hospital’s doors opened,” said Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., in a statement.

But Senate approval doesn’t mean the hospital is in the clear. Although the measure cleared the Senate without opposition, it still requires House support.

Even then, the authorization bill won’t be enough. Congress also needs to agree to a VA plan to shift money to the project; that request is tied to a stopgap spending bill that Congress must approve by Thursday or else plunge the federal government into a shutdown.

Still, Colorado lawmakers are hopeful. In a statement, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet applauded Friday’s funding move, as well the bill’s requirement that the Army Corps of Engineers take control of any VA project expected to cost $100 million or more. “The VA has mismanaged this project from the start and the Colorado delegation is continuing efforts to hold those responsible accountable,” said Bennet, a Democrat.