A proposal for $156.8 million in federal funding to build the Northstar commuter line has been sent to the Capitol for a mandatory 60-day review by Congress -- meaning the three counties involved can easily make an $11 million December payment to Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway.

"This relieves tremendous pressure," Tim Yantos, executive director for the Northstar project, said Monday.

The review of the federal funding for the 40-mile Northstar line, from Big Lake to Minneapolis, appears to be a formality after it was approved Thursday by two federal agencies -- the Office of Management and Budget and the Federal Transit Administration.

Minnesota officials learned Monday that Congress officially began its review period Friday night.

The 60-day period ends Dec. 11 and the funds should be available, Yantos said. The combined $11 million payment from Hennepin, Anoka and Sherburne counties to Burlington Northern Santa Fe for track rights is due Dec. 17.

The federal funding should cover about half of the Northstar project. But the receipt of the federal dollars in December should trigger another windfall for the three counties. The state, which has already funded $10 million toward the Northstar project, has said it will offer the remainder of its $98.6 million pledge to the rail line upon the official granting of the federal funding.

Congress will not be voting on the funding during the 60-day period. The Northstar project may be reviewed by various committees, and questions are expected. But after the two federal agencies approved the project, the funding was all but a done deal. Sen. Norm Coleman said last week that the approval by the two federal agencies "was the most important step for Northstar since the project came to the drawing board."

The federal funding is expected to be used for building stations and buying coaches, Yantos said.

Hennepin, Anoka and Sherburne counties are contributing a combined $51 million to the project. The Metropolitan Council is contributing $5.9 million to the line, which is expected to open in 2009.

Paul Levy • 612-673-4419

Paul Levy • plevy@startribune.com