St. Paul’s Mayor says FTA to commit Central Corridor funds next week

St. Paul, Minn., Mayor Chris Coleman delivered his annual State of the City address on April 18, including an announcement regarding major funds being allocated for the Central Corridor light-rail project. The new line, a new 11-mile route between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis, has already begun construction without the federal funding in place, completing more than 11 percent of the project. The Mayor stated that on April 26, the Federal Transit Administration will sign the long-awaited full funding grant agreement, committing about $460 million in federal funds toward the $957 million project. In his speech, he spoke on how the light-rail project would create educational opportunities. "Education will be at the core of our mission. A strong transit system will allow children to get from their school to an after school program, downtown for an internship, or, after graduating from high school, to one of the many colleges or universities connected to the corridor." Later in his address, in concluding the segment on transportation improvements, he said, "After 30 years of discussion, on April 26, next week, the full funding grant agreement will be signed. While that will be an incredible day to celebrate, we should also note a more interesting fact. As of February 28, 11.9 percent of the corridor construction has already been completed. Who says we Saint Paulites aren't over-achievers?" Trains are expected to begin running in 2014.