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Earlier this week, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) formally invited Northstar officials to apply for federal matching funds for the $307 million, 40-mile Minneapolis-to-Big Lake, Minn., commuter-rail line.

“The project has made sufficient progress in completing these action items [outlined in the FTA 2008 New Starts report], thereby providing FTA with necessary confidence that this project is a viable candidate” for a Full Funding Grant Agreement, said FTA Administrator James Simpson in a letter sent to Northstar Corridor Development Authority officials.

The authority could begin construction on the line this month. Officials expect to launch operations in late 2009.