Coleman: Money coming through for Northstar commuter line

Northstar route
The proposed route for the Northstar commuter rail line, from Minneapolis to St. Cloud.
Image courtesy of Northstar Corridor Development Authority

(AP) - Federal officials plan to make $255 million available for the planned Northstar commuter rail line that will run from downtown Minneapolis northwest to Big Lake, U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman's office announced Thursday.

After a 60-day congressional review period, the project will be authorized to receive $160 million in federal funds and another $95 million in state bonding funds, the Republican's office said.

In December, the Northstar project is slated to pay the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway $11 million for track. Also that month, the project expects to spend $40 million for rail cabs and cars. The 40-mile Northstar line is set to open in late 2009.

Last week, Coleman sent a letter in support of the project to the Office of Management and Budget and the Transportation Department.

On Thursday, he said in a prepared statement, "Today's decision is the most important step for Northstar since the project came to the drawing board."

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