The announcement was a reversal over the Republican governor's previous stance objecting to this line, and was received with criticism from some members of his own party.
"We're choking on congestion," Pawlenty says. "This past year, we made the largest infusion of road-building funds in history. Now, we need to also look at expanded transit opportunities. The plan we're announcing today is progress on all fronts."
The Northstar commuter rail line uses mostly existing rail lines. It will connect downtown Minneapolis to communities along a 40-mile stretch to Big Lake, including Fridley, Anoka and Elk River. Initial estimates are that the Northstar line will save 892,000 commuter hours per year through improved travel times over the next best transit option. The fast-growing corridor between Minneapolis and St. Cloud needs congestion relief and more commuter options, Pawlenty said.
Pawlenty's plan includes an initial $37.5 million state investment for the Northstar Commuter Rail to be matched by $37.5 million in local funding commitments. The funds will catapult the project into the next phase, which is the Federal Transit Authority's (FTA) approval process for final design. Total cost of the project is estimated to be at least $265 million, of which the federal government will pay half of the total cost.
Pawlenty's transportation bonding plan also includes funding for $38 million in local roads and bridges as well as $10 million for the Cedar Avenue bus way.
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