The historic Union Depot in St. Paul, Minn., is on the road to restoration, the Star-Tribune reports. The Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority on Sept. 21 approved a $149-million construction contract for the renovation and transformation of the building into a transportation hub. The vote was 6 to 1, with Commissioner Janice Rettman dissenting.

Preparation work will start soon and major construction will get under way in January. Completion is expected in late 2012.

Mortenson Construction, the project's lead contractor, was awarded a $5.5-million contract for design in January. The Sept. 21 action means Mortenson guarantees the project will be completed at or under the $148.7 million budget.

The entire project, including building acquisition and construction, will cost about $243 million. So far, $139 million has been found from a mix of sources. County officials are seeking federal grants, state money and other funds to pay for the remaining $104 million.

Rail Authority Board Chairman Jim McDonough said he's confident the project will get some federal grant money, although it's highly competitive. He also noted that if the grants don't come through, the Rail Authority would be able to pay for the project without having to raise the levy.

The block-long building faces 4th Street and sits between Wacouta and Sibley Streets in Lowertown. It was built between 1918 and 1923 on the site of an earlier train station that burned in 1915. It was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

It has been about 40 years since the depot was a functional transportation center, and Ramsey County officials have made its renovation a priority over the years.

Many of the design ideas call for cleaning and bringing back the historic structure.

Work will be done in coordination with the building of the Central Corridor light-rail line, which will end at the depot, and the new Lafayette Bridge. Other rail and bus service, cars and bikes will link to it at the depot. Amtrak and Greyhound have expressed interest in moving to the facility.

Project planners told commissioners that there would be road closures and other obstructions during portions of construction. Christos, the restaurant inside the depot, will likely be closed for four months next year.

"We're ready to put shovels in the ground," McDonough said.