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./in update on how the <br />Northstar Corridor <br />Development ~4uthority <br />is working to improve <br />transportation in <br />our re~ion <br /> <br />Federal Funds are in Hand, <br />Thanks to Congressman Oberstar <br /> <br />Congressman Jim Oberstar, with the <br />cooperation of Sen. Rod Grams and the <br />Minnesota Congressional Delegation, succeeded <br />in securing funding for the Northstar Corridor <br />Commuter Rail project as a part of a major <br />transportation bill recently passed by Congress <br /> ~ signed by the President on June 9. <br /> <br /> As ranking minority member of the House <br />Transportation Committee, Oberstar played a <br />pivotal role in the passage of this legislation. <br />He will continue to be the chief advocate for <br />the Northstar Corridor in Washington, D.C. <br />Grams sits on the Senate Banking Committee <br />which authorizes transit expenditures. <br /> <br /> The new legislation, known as <br />Transportation for the 21st Century (TEA 21), <br />authorizes funding to complete the proposed <br />major investment study, engineering, design, <br />and construction of the project along Highway <br />10. These funds are in addition to the $350,000 <br />in congressional funding provided earlier this <br />year, through the effort of Congressman Martin <br />Sabo, for the feasibility study of commuter rail, <br />which is already underway. <br /> <br /> "The Northstar Corridor is one of the best <br />and most needed projects I have sponsored in <br />my many years in Congress," Oberstar said. <br /> <br />"The transportation system in its current state <br />simply can't accommodate the increasing <br />demand to move people and goods in and out <br />of the Twin Cities. We need a new approach to <br />transportation in the Twin Cities and the <br />northern suburbs." <br /> <br /> In addition to receiving the <br />federal funds, NCDA will also <br />receive $1.5 million from the <br />state of Minnesota. This local <br />amount was included in the <br />1998 metropolitan transitways <br />bonding bill that the Minnesota <br />Legislature passed earlier this <br />spring, thanks to the work and <br />support of the local legislative <br />delegation. <br /> <br /> Oberstar is looking forward <br />to seeing the project take shape, <br />and to lending his continued <br />support to the NCDA's work. Congressman Jim Oberstar <br /> <br /> "We're committed to developing a <br />transportation system that can accommodate <br />the corridor's accelerated growth in population <br />and economic development, and ensure its <br />long-term viability," he said. <br /> <br />l~brk Has Begun on Northstar Corridor ......... 2 <br />Resurgence of Commuter Rail ........................ 2 <br />Meet the NCDA Executive Committee ............. 3 <br />Thank You to Sup?orters ............................... 4 <br /> <br /> <br />