7.3. SR 08-16-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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AUG 03 '04 18:01 T0-7636351090 FROH-RIOHARDSON, RICHTER& ASSOCIATES T-241 P,10/18 F-503 OFFICE OF GOVERNOR TnvI PAWLENTY x3o State Capitol, Saint Paul, MN 55155, (65x) 296-ooox NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2004 Contact: Daniel Wolter (651) 296-0001 GOVERNOR PAWLENTY KEEPS NORTHSTAR COMMUTER LINE MOVING FORWARD -Action by Governor will secure federal funding ~ Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty and members of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority ('NCDA) today announced plans to provide inmrim funding that will allow the Northstar Corridor commuter rail line to proceed. Thc actions by the Governor will secure $10 million in federal funding for the next phase of the project. "We need to move forward with efforts to relieve traffic congestion," said Governor Pawlenty. "Our efforts to build roads and bridges are a big part of the plan, but we also must pursue effective transit options along priority commuter corridorz. The Northstar cornmmer rail line tlt~ thc bill." The Northstar commuter line utilizes mostly existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) lines, connecting downtown Minneapolis to communities along a stretch to Big Lake and is predicted to save over 890,000 commuter hours per year. The Governor's plan includes using $2.5 million dollars of money ~krough the Metropolitan Council to leverage an additional $10 million in federal matching funds for land acquisition along the corridor and continued work with the BNSF railroad. The federal funds were slated to be lost ,/tnot utilized by the state before September 30, 2004. The NCDA has also expressed a willingness to provide an additional $10 million to be used for design efforts for the rail project. The combined $22.5 million will go toward the project's expected $265 million total cost and allow it to continue according to plans. The Met Council is expected to vote on the proposal as early as next week. Metropolita~n Council Chairman Peter Bell said, "Northstar represents an important part of the region's transportation infrastructure. This is an important step to keep the project on schedule and I look forward to working with the Legislature as we seek final funding." "Progress on this project today is crucial to dealing with the citizen needs of the future," said Dan Erhart, Chairman of the Anoka County Board and a member of NCDA. "Once again, Oovemor Pawlenty has shown the vision and leadership needed to advance this important project." Earlier this year Pawlenty had included funding Northstar in his bonding package but the legislature was unable to reach agreement on a bonding bill. --30- www.governor.state.rnn.us , (651) 296-0001, (651) 296-0056 fax