The first mass transit line linking commuters in the suburban City of Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis took a big step forward this week when the Federal Transit Administration approved the project to move into the final design phase.
When service begins in 2009, the $307 million Northstar line will be 40 miles long and carry an estimated 5,600 daily riders on cars equipped with power stations for laptops and on-board bathrooms. The new service will also help the greater Minneapolis metropolitan area reduce traffic congestion and related pollution, stimulate private investment around six major stations, and strengthen its competitive edge in the global economy.
"Northstar is an important piece of Minnesota's transportation future," Governor Tim Pawlenty said. "It will add more transportation capacity in one of the fastest-growing areas of the state and get commuters to work and home faster."
