Sabo Urges Minnesota to Keep Northstar on Track
Sabo Urges Minnesota to Keep Northstar on Track
Friday, February 10, 2006
Washington, D.C. - When the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued its New Starts Annual Report this week, Northstar Commuter Rail was given a deadline to meet goals to remain on track for a federal funding agreement. It also received an upgrade in project status.
"The Minnesota Legislature advanced this project with significant funding last year, but the state is still short of its full share," Congressman Martin Olav Sabo said. "MNDoT must also complete planning work to stay in the running for a funding agreement from the federal government."
A Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) is essential to complete Northstar Commuter Rail. An FFGA is a promise that funding will be appropriated to a project in progress. Such agreements are necessary for large projects requiring substantial capital and years to complete. If Northstar obtains an FFGA, it would mean $131 million toward the overall cost of the project, estimated at $289 million. Hiawatha Light Rail benefited from an FFGA, which assured federal funds paid over several years to complete the project.
Congressman Sabo has championed the Northstar project, having secured $34 million for it since 2000. Formerly the top Democrat on the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representatives, transportation is a priority for Sabo because of its impact on commerce and quality of life for 5th District and all Minnesota residents.
Of three phases of development, Northstar is currently in the second phase. If it fails to meet a Sept. 30 deadline for "scope, schedule and right of way" planning work, the FTA said the project will fall back down to the first phase of development.
"Many other cities and regions across the country are competing for federal transportation dollars," Sabo said. "The longer it takes the state to fund Northstar, the more other states' projects get ahead of Northstar in the funding pipeline. If we're going to do Northstar - and I believe we should - then let's get it done."
The Northstar Corridor runs along Highway 10 from downtown Minneapolis to St. Cloud. The first phase of the project will be a 40-mile rail line to Big Lake with connections to existing bus service and Hiawatha Light Rail in downtown Minneapolis. According to recent census numbers, the Northstar Corridor is among the fastest growing areas in the state.
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