Minneapolis Green Line extension secures final piece of local funding

Three Minneapolis-area agencies this week voted to provide the remaining piece of local funding for the city's Green Line light-rail extension, allowing the project to move forward.

Known as the Southwest light-rail transit project, the route was in jeopardy of losing its chance at federal funding when Minnesota legislators failed during their spring legislative session to provide the remaining $145 million in state funds for the project.

However, the Metropolitan Council yesterday approved borrowing $91.75 million to pay for the project, while the Counties Transit Improvement Board voted to provide $20.5 million in cash and $11.75 million in debt, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.

The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority also agreed to provide an additional $20.5 million toward the $1.9 billion project. The authority already has committed $165.3 million for the route.