(The Associated Press circulated the following on September 24.)
MINNEAPOLIS — The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Minnesota about $5.6 million to extend the Hiawatha commuter rail line to a planned Northstar commuter rail station in Minneapolis, Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office announced Monday.
The Hiawatha line is an 11-mile stretch that extends from Minneapolis south to the Mall of America and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The Northstar line, which is set to open in late 2009, will be a 40-mile line from Minneapolis northwest to Big Lake.
“This project will help provide reliable service for thousands of Minnesotans traveling on our roads and rail, easing congestion and providing more transportation options,” Klobuchar, D-Minn., said in a prepared statement.
The grant will be used for an easement payment to the BNSF Railway.