Coleman: Money coming through for Northstar commuter line

St. Paul, Minn. — (AP) - Federal officials plan to make $255 million available for the planned Northstar commuter rail line that will run from downtown Minneapolis northwest to Big Lake, U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman's office announced Thursday.

After a 60-day congressional review period, the project will be authorized to receive $160 million in federal funds and another $95 million in state bonding funds, the Republican's office said.

In December, the Northstar project is slated to pay the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway $11 million for track. Also that month, the project expects to spend $40 million for rail cabs and cars. The 40-mile Northstar line is set to open in late 2009.

Last week, Coleman sent a letter in support of the project to the Office of Management and Budget and the Transportation Department.

On Thursday, he said in a prepared statement, "Today's decision is the most important step for Northstar since the project came to the drawing board."

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