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Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri-Met) received a federal boost Sept. 20, landing a $257.5 million Full Funding Grant Agreement for its Interstate MAX light-rail extension.

"Signing the contract allows us to move forward to build this project, that will eventually bring faster and more reliable transit options for the neighborhoods along Interstate Avenue," said Tri-Met General Manager Fred Hansen in a prepared statement.

The $350 million, 5.8-mile extension would run from the Rose Quarter to the Expo Center, adding 10 stations to the existing 33-mile light-rail line.

Groundbreaking is set for November with the extension to begin service in Sept. 2004.