The approval authorizes METRO to undertake construction preparation activities such as utility relocation, right-of-way acquisition, development of detailed specifications and preparation of final construction plans.

In its letters, the FTA noted that METRO has adequately defined the North and Southeast Corridor's project scope, cost estimate, schedule and potential risk areas. It also states that METRO has demonstrated the technical capacity and capability to construct and implement the projects and has sufficient technical and management resources to enter into final design work.

The FTA also notes that it is working with METRO to finalize items pertaining to METRO's Title VI program and the implementation of a detailed operational analysis of rail-car headways when the project is completed.

In July, METRO issued a $121-million work order for the North and Southeast lines, including initial utility relocation work. The work order is part of a larger contract that calls for the initial spending of $632-million on the North, Southeast and East End light-rail lines.

Small and local businesses are expected to receive $300 million to $385 million in eligible contract work by the time four lines, including Uptown, are completed. The overall project is expected to generate 60,000 direct and indirect jobs.