(The Associated Press circulated the following story on January 14.)
ST. PAUL — After years of opposing a commuter rail line running northwest from Minneapolis, Gov. Tim Pawlenty switched tracks Tuesday to embrace the $265 million project.
Saying the Twin Cities area was “choking on congestion,” Pawlenty will recommend the Legislature borrow $37.5 million for the Northstar project along the state?s fast-growing I-94 corridor. The line would run as far as Big Lake.
“We need to be bold and be aggressive about tackling the problem and addressing the problem,” he said, drawing applause from more than 200 people gathered in Anoka, one of the cities that would benefit from the line.
“We are thrilled to have his support,” said Duane Grandy, chairman of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority.
Pawlenty resisted the rail project when he was House majority leader, but softened his opposition when running for governor after a new report showed the project might make more economic sense than he originally thought.
What ultimately convinced him to support Northstar, however, was a recent review by the Federal Transit Administration, he said. A new, tougher cost-effectiveness index that evaluates travel time savings for transit riders indicated that if the original 82-mile proposal was scaled back to 40 miles, it would meet criteria for federal funding.
The Northstar Corridor Development Authority unanimously approved a resolution last week to modify the route to run only to Big Lake instead of extending 42 miles futher to St. Cloud.
Rep. Joe Opatz, a Democrat from St. Cloud, said he would support the plan even though his community wouldn?t be included.
“We?ll never get it there if it doesn?t get to here first,” said Opatz, speaking at the Anoka event.
If the Legislature approves the project, federal money would cover about half the construction costs. For the other half of those costs, Pawlenty proposes the state pay two-thirds and local governments pick up the other third.
Pawlenty said the estimated $265 million cost is likely to increase for various reasons, including that negotiations haven?t been completed with Burlington Northern Santa Fe for track improvement costs.
“There will be some controversy associated with this project,” Pawlenty acknowleged.
The state?s transportation commissioner, Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, didn?t attend the news conference. She has long opposed the project and Pawlenty said Molnau still has “continuing concerns.”
But, he added, “She?s willing to be a team player.”
Molnau isn?t the only one skeptical of the project. While most Democrats have supported it in the past, many Republicans haven?t.
Pawlenty urged the line?s supporters to call and write to their lawmakers. “We?re going to support it and support it strongly,” he said.
House Transportation Finance Committee Chairman Bill Kuisle, R-Rochester, warned his colleagues to move slowly until the project?s final cost was determined.
“This is how the state gets into budget problems,” he said. “You have to have a funding mechanism in place before you start the first one of many rail projects being planned.”
Rep. Phil Krinkie, chairman of the committee that oversees the bonding bill, said he planned to oppose the project. He also said Pawlenty was breaking a campaign promise not to support light rail because the project would require an additional $32 million to extend the Hiawatha line four blocks in Minneapolis.
He said the project?s success would depend on how high a priority Pawlenty put on it this session.
House Speaker Steve Sviggum said House Republicans wouldn?t take a caucus position on the issue, but rather would leave the decision to each member.
Senate Democrats said they were surprised by Pawlenty?s decision, but that they would work with him to get the intiative passed.
“I just hope his support hasn?t come too late; the line has already been cut in half and stations have been eliminated,” said Sen. Dean Johnson, chairman of the Senate Transportation and Public Safety Committee.
A recent analysis suggested the Big Lake-to-Minneapolis line could save commuters 892,000 hours per year over the best potential bus system.
The governor?s bonding plan also includes $28 million for local bridges and $10 million for roads, mostly in greater Minnesota, and $10 million for a bus-way along Cedar Avenue in the Twin Cities.
Pawlenty plans to release his last round of bonding recommendations on Wednesday.