St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman was encouraged about plans moving forward for the
Central Corridor Light Rail line after he attended the Jan. 19-21
U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., a Pioneer Press
story notes.
Although
there have been recent proposals to cut federal funding for mass
transit initiatives, some high-level government officials at the
conference showed strong support for the light rail line that would
connect Minneapolis and St. Paul, according to the article.
Peter Rogoff, an administrator with the
Federal Transit Administration,which would cover half of the $957 million construction costs for the
light rail line, indicated to Coleman that he "intends for Central
Corridor to be the first project --the first--he submits to Congress
for funding," Coleman is quoted saying, adding, "The FTA is very
supportive of this project. This is why I'm so optimistic."