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."