Republican legislators in St. Paul purport to be probusiness. In the case of the proposed Southwest Corridor light-rail transit line, they should respond like business executives and be nonideological, data-driven and consumer-responsive. Then, like any savvy executive, they should seize this transit opportunity while it's still available.

The 15-mile line would connect the burgeoning business districts in the southwest suburbs with downtown Minneapolis. From there, passengers could proceed on the same train to the University of Minnesota or to downtown St. Paul. Or they could transfer to the Hiawatha Line to get to the airport and beyond.

Out of more than 100 transit projects contending for scarce federal funding, Southwest was one of only 10 chosen by the Federal Transit Administration for preliminary engineering.

If the $1.25 billion project proceeds, the state would realize a nine-to-one return on investment, since it would only pay 10 percent of the cost.

(Half of the total cost would come from the federal government; 30 percent would come from the County Transit Improvement Board, and 10 percent would come from the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority.)

The Metropolitan Council estimates that over the next six years the project would create 3,500 construction jobs; 150 engineering, outreach and management jobs, and 175 operation jobs.

Most important, the line is projected to carry 30,000 riders a day by 2030. This would help alleviate congestion in a corridor that will grow by 60,000 jobs, to a total of 270,000, within the same time frame.

Critics contend that bus rapid transit is a better option than light rail. In some cases, that's correct. And indeed, two new BRT lines are set along Cedar Avenue and Interstate 35W. But for this corridor, in this case, BRT would be more expensive than light rail. Accordingly, BRT would not qualify for federal funding.

Local governments along the line -- Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis -- are all on the record with resolutions of support.

And the business community understands that efficient infrastructure is progrowth, projobs and probusiness. That's why the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and Twin West Chamber of Commerce, which represent a total of more than 3,000 businesses, have endorsed the project.

The taxpaying public also understands that the project can keep the region competitive. A January poll by the firms Public Opinion Strategies and FM3 found that 61 percent of Minnesotans supported Southwest light rail. If the poll had been taken after the recent spike in gas prices, support likely would have been even stronger.

The key to keeping the project moving through the preliminary engineering is securing $25 million in bonding from the state -- money that has not been approved by either the Minnesota House or Senate. Gov. Mark Dayton is in favor of the project.

Republican legislators should rethink their opposition. Failure to do so may cost the state an invaluable opportunity to increase its competitiveness with other dynamic economic regions. And even if the project could somehow remain one of 10 the FTA favors, the Met Council estimates that even a one-year delay could add inflationary costs of $40 million.

Fortunately, funding is not isolated in a stand-alone bill. Its inclusion in the bonding bill means that its chance of passage is better. But better isn't good enough to keep Minnesota competitive.

Dayton should insist that the funding be part of any bonding bill that reaches his desk. Inevitably, as with any legislation, there will be compromises. But this is one project that should not be traded away. The deal is too good, the opportunity too unique and the need too great.

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