St. Paul Central Corridor enters final design stage

St. Paul, Minn.’s Central Corridor light rail transit project Tuesday “received permission today to enter final design, the last step before award of a federal Full Funding Grant Agreement for the biggest public works project in Minnesota history,” according to the Metropolitan Council, the prime governmental advocate for the controversial light rail route linking the state capital with neighboring Minneapolis and the existing Hiawatha LRT line.

In a statement, Met Council said, “Immediately upon receiving permission to enter final design, the project office will submit all documentation to the Federal Transit Administration for award of a Full Funding Grant Agreement. An FFGA represents the federal government’s commitment to reimburse project partners for half the cost of building the $957 million, 11-mile line connecting St. Paul and Minneapolis. “

Anticipated funding for the route is 50% from federal sources, 30% from the Counties Transit Improvement Board, 10% from the state of Minnesota, 7% from Ramsey County (which includes St. Paul), 3% from Hennepin County (which includes Minneapolis), and residual sums from St. Paul, Metropolitan Council, and the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative.

“The FTA’s approval represents another important step in transforming this project from a 20-year-old dream into reality,” said Peter Bell, chair of the Met Council. “It will mean improved access for thousands of metro area residents to employment, educational, and economic opportunities all along the corridor and beyond.”