Minnesota officials OK funds for Green Line extension's preliminary engineering

The Minnesota Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton recently agreed to provide $37 million to keep the Green Line light-rail extension project on schedule, as well as $130 million for transit operations to maintain existing service levels, according to the Metropolitan Council.

"Preliminary engineering will continue on the Green Line extension as scheduled," said Metropolitan Council Chairwoman Sue Haigh said in a statement posted late last week on the agency's website.

The Legislature passed and Dayton approved legislation that provides $130 million for transit operations among all providers, including Metro Transit; $18 million for the state's share of the Blue and Green Line operations; and $37 million for the Green Line extension's preliminary engineering.

Also approved was $35.8 million in regional transit capital bonding authority to maintain and improve the region's transit system. Capital projects will include fleet replacement, park-and-ride expansion and improvement, and station improvements.

In addition, regional rail authorities in all metro counties have been granted greater authority to fund the development and implementation of bus rapid transit lines. Currently, most regional rail authorities can use their levy authority only to develop and implement light-rail lines.