Minneapolis Green Line Extension funding passes 80 percent mark

The Minneapolis area's Metropolitan Council has secured more than 80 percent of local funding for the Metro Green Line light-rail extension project.

Council officials are working with state and project partners on transportation funding in the 2016 legislative session for the remaining $135 million state share of the line's construction costs, according to the council's December newsletter.

Earlier in 2015, President Barack Obama recommended the project for a full funding grant agreement in his 2016 budget, but the federal government will make its funding commitment only after all local funding is formally secured, council officials said.

In its 2016 omnibus appropriation, the U.S. Congress included $5 million for the Green Line extension, which is also known as the Southwest Light-Rail Transit project.

The council would finalize cost estimates and complete the environmental process in summer 2016 prior to entering the engineering phase. The council also would receive price proposals in the same timeframe for significant contracts, including civil construction and light-rail vehicles.

The proposed 14.5-mile extension would run through Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Hopkins and St. Louis Park, Minn.