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St. Paul, Minn.

Bush budget includes money for Northstar rail line

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

(AP) - President Bush's 2009 budget proposal includes $71 million for the Northstar commuter rail line.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., said the money would complete the federal government's $156 million investment in the $320 million project.

Coleman called the Northstar line a "critical transportation project" for Minnesota.

"When completed, Northstar will ease congestion, create jobs and decrease our dependence on foreign oil," Coleman said.

The 40-mile line will run from downtown Minneapolis through the northwest suburbs and to Big Lake. It is expected to open late next year.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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