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Increase Bonding Funds to Build Minnesota’s Transit Network
You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the
directions at the bottom.
Legislative Bonding for Transit Projects
Bonding is currently the only source of state capital funds for new transitways projects.* Funding is urgently needed in 2006 to continue building a regional system of transitways and increase the bus system. This allows us to remain competitive with other U.S. regions and secure available federal funding for rail projects. The conference committee on bonding will be meeting soon to negotiate the bonding bill.
The members of the Committee are, on the Senate side: Chairman Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon), Sandra Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), James Metzen (DFL-South St. Paul), Wes Skoglund (DFL-Minneapolis), and Paul Koering (R-Fort Ripley); on the House side: Chairman Dan Dorman (R-Albert Lea), Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls), Denny McNamara (R-Hastings), Laura Brod (R-New Prague), and Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul).
TLC’s major bonding priorities for 2006:
Northstar Commuter Rail
Need: $60 million
House appropriation: $50 million
Senate appropriation: $60 million
This corridor includes a six-station commuter rail line between downtown Minneapolis and Big Lake. To get the federal matching dollars to complete the next phase of this project, the Minnesota Legislature must provide $60 million in funding this year.
Central Corridor
Need: $50 million
House appropriation: $2.5 million
Senate appropriation: $5 million
This corridor will connect downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis by way of University and Washington Avenues. This funding will ensure Minnesota keeps its place in line for highly competitive federal funding for rail projects.
Union Depot
Need: $12.5 million
House appropriation: $1 million
Senate appropriation: $6.25 million
The Minnesota Legislature must match $50 million in federal funds already approved for the Union Depot in St. Paul, which will serve as the major transit hub for the east metro.
Cedar Avenue Busway
Need: $5 million
House appropriation: $5 million
Senate appropriation: $5 million
This project includes a 16-mile bus corridor running from the Mall of America north from Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, and Lakeville. This funding will also be used to construct park and rides and bus shoulder lanes along Cedar Avenue.
I-35W Bus Rapid Transit
Need: $8.3 million
House appropriation: $8.3 million
Senate appropriation: $0
This provides $3.3 million for the 46th Street station and 82nd Street and $5 million for up to three park and ride facilities south of I-494.
Greater Minnesota Transit Facilities
Need: $7.1 million
House appropriation: $2 million
Senate appropriation: $2 million
This funding will provide for construction of bus garages, maintenance facilities and bus shelters in smaller cities outside the metro area.
Robert Street Transitway Planning
Need: $2 million
House appropriation: $0
Senate appropriation: $1 million
This project needs a state financial commitment in order to begin analysis of transit expansion in this corridor.
Red Rock Commuter Rail
Need: $1 million
House appropriation: $0
Senate appropriation: $0
A 30-mile commuter rail corridor running north along Highway 61 from Hastings to St. Paul and on to Minneapolis. This project needs a state financial commitment in order to continue planning efforts and to stay in line for matching federal funds.
Rush Line Commuter Rail
Need: $1 million
House appropriation: $0
Senate appropriation: $0
An 80-mile corridor connecting downtown St. Paul with Hinckley. This project needs a state financial commitment in order to continue planning efforts and to stay in line for matching federal funds.
Regional Transit Capital Bonding
Another important issue at the legislature is the Regional Transit Capital Bonds. These bonds are issued by the Metropolitan Council every other year to purchase buses and maintain or construct transit shelters and park and ride facilities.
Urge your legislators to support HF 3682 and SF 3320, which provides $32.8 million in Regional Trasit Capital Bonds.
*Almost all road projects are not funded with bonding dollars because they receive dedicated funds from the state gas tax.
Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:
Your State Representative
Your State Senator
A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.
Increase Bonding Funds to Build Minnesota’s Transit Network
Dear Representative,
Minnesota has tremendous funding needs for public transit. Transit funding across Minnesota has been cut back substantially over the past five years.
We need to increase transit funding to provide greater choices for people, while also reducing congestion. I support increased funding for transit-related capital projects.
I urge you to increase funding for transit improvements in the upcoming bonding conference committee. Please urge the bonding committee members and leadership to increase Northstar Corridor funding to the full $60 million needed to match federal funds, match the Senate funding of $6.25 million for the Union Depot, and provide the full $50 million to begin construction of the Central Corridor LRT connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Another important issue at the legislature is the Regional Transit Capital Bonds. Please support HF 3682 and SF 3320 to purchase buses, maintain or construct transit shelters and park and ride facilities in the metro area.
Thank you for your consideration,
Your name and address here
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This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.
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