Not long ago Washington County was far off the beaten path of public transit, but a discussion Tuesday showed how much that's changed.

Studies of three major transit corridors have been launched with a fourth in the works. Transit centers are planned in Woodbury and Newport. Commissioners hold more sway in the metrowide debate over which transit projects should come first and at what cost.

Commissioners met in a workshop to review the county's role in the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB), formed two years ago by five metro counties that assess a quarter-cent sales tax to study and build transit.

Washington County commissioners support spending CTIB money on the current major project, the Central Corridor light-rail train between St. Paul and Minneapolis. But they also expect Ramsey and Hennepin counties to send plenty of CTIB money their way when Washington County's turn comes for a big project.

"We're going to want those deep pockets funding ours," said Commissioner Gary Kriesel.

Washington County has dedicated some of its CTIB receipts to pay for studies of the I-94 corridor east from St. Paul to the St. Croix River. Buses and trains someday could zoom past Oakdale, Woodbury and Lake Elmo depending on study findings and available money.

Meanwhile, a Rush Line route running north from St. Paul and a Red Rock line running south would serve Washington County residents. Planning for those commuter routes, which could include buses or trains or both, has accelerated in the past year. A fourth proposed major commuter line through the county, along Hwy. 36 from Oakdale to Stillwater, awaits a study to determine its feasibility.

Much of the workshop discussion Tuesday centered on Washington County's commitment to bonding for major transit projects funded through CTIB receipts. Commissioners say they're not looking to withdraw from the CTIB arrangement -- which also includes Ramsey, Anoka, Hennepin and Dakota counties -- but they continue to seek assurance it will work in the county's favor.

Even as transit rolls forward, other projects dear to commissioners' hearts remain stuck. One of those is the proposed St. Croix River Crossing bridge, which would launch from Oak Park Heights on the Minnesota side. That proposal, intended to relieve growing traffic congestion in the Stillwater area, is now estimated to cost at least $668 million if construction begins in 2013.

Kevin Giles • 612-673-4432