Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Laura Yuen
St. Paul, Minn.

Met Council head to promote Central Corridor in D.C.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The head of the Metropolitan Council is traveling to Washington D.C. Wednesday to promote a planned light-rail line connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Federal funding for the nearly $1 billion Central Corridor project has yet to be secured. And Metropolitan Council Chairwoman Sue Haigh acknowledges that some Republican members of Congress are calling for the elimination of a program that helps pay for new light-rail lines.

"The House has shown it is not as enthusiastic about these sorts of transit investments and transportation investments as has the president or the Senate," Haigh said. "But I do think there is a unified perspective in Congress that these are exactly the sorts of transportation investments we should be making to get people back to work and to stimulate economic growth."

She said she remains optimistic a full-funding grant agreement will be signed this spring.

"I'm there to carry the message that this project is really moving forward, it's passed every funding criteria test along the way, and it's going to be a tremendous opportunity for growth for this region," she said.

Work has already begun on the Central Corridor line.

Haigh plans to meet with congressional staff and officials from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) including Therese McMillan, deputy director of the FTA and Matthew Welbes, executive director of the FTA.