More than half of the $71 million in federal grant money promised last year for the Northstar commuter rail has yet to be appropriated. But officials are confident the remaining funds will be on board by March.
"The money is authorized," said John Schadl, a spokesman for Congressman James Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation Committee. "We're not anticipating trouble."
Nearly $41 million in federal funding has yet to be appropriated, but that had to do more with the number of bills Congress faced late fall than questions concerning Northstar. The remainder of the federal grant -- 43 percent of the package -- has been appropriated and was expected to be released this month.
Four locomotives were recently delivered and were on display in Big Lake, and bids for the Fridley station are expected by the end of this month, said Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart. Studies of proposed stations in Ramsey and at Foley Boulevard in Coon Rapids are continuing.
The 40-mile commuter rail from Minneapolis to Big Lake is scheduled to open this fall.
"The [federal] money for the package is there," said Erhart, who chairs the Anoka County Regional Rail Authority. "We just need a little action in Washington.
"If we weren't to get [the money], it would be a first -- the first project with an approved federal grant and funding agreement that didn't come through. That won't happen. The money's there. People in Washington want us to get this done."
When the commuter line was proposed years ago, the line was expected to go from Minneapolis to St. Cloud. That hope is still being pursued, Erhart said. A budget proposal for the line's second phase is expected this month.
