The line's total cost of $265 million requires the legislature's approval. Pawlenty aads his $22 million did not require legislative approval. State funds must be committed to the project by Sept. 30 to secure $10 million in federal funds already set aside for it, Pawlenty says. State funding for the commuter rail was part of a bonding bill last session that failed to pass. Prospects for a special session do not appear good.
"We need to move forward with efforts to relieve traffic congestion," Pawlenty says. "Our efforts to build roads and bridges are a big part of the plan, but we also must pursue effective transit options along priority commuter corridors."
The line is planned to have six stations along 40 miles running from Big Lake to Downtown Minneapolis, where it would connect to the Hiawatha light-rail line. Under Pawlenty's plan, the Metropolitan Council would contribute $2.5 million from interest earned on a transit fund toward the Northstar project, which would secure the $10 million in federal money. The corridor authority would kick in another $10 million, channeled from the Anoka, Hennepin and Sherburne county rail authorities.
The Met Council is expected to vote on the proposal by mid-August. "By keeping this work moving, we can hopefully prevent a year's delay and avoid higher project costs due to inflation," says Tim Yantos, project director for Northstar Commuter Rail and the Northstar Corridor Development Authority, which will vote on the proposal.
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