Contractor picked for St. Paul portion of Central Corridor

The Metropolitan Council on Wednesday awarded the first major construction contract for the Central Corridor light-rail line to Walsh Construction.

The Chicago-based contractor will be paid $205.1 million for the so-called Civil East portion of the project, which is the 7-mile segment from downtown St. Paul to the city's western edge. The amount is about $27 million less than earlier estimates.

Bids ranged from $205 million to $247 million.

The 11-mile line will link the downtowns of St. Paul and Minneapolis and is expected to start running in 2014. The project's budget is $957 million, and planners are waiting for the federal government to pay half the cost this fall.

Bids for heavy construction on the line's western portion will be opened July 27, with an award expected Aug. 25.

Some work has already begun, including utility relocation in downtown St. Paul and road work on the University of Minnesota's East Bank.

Heavy construction -- such as road rebuilding and track and sidewalk installation -- in St. Paul is planned for 2011 and 2012.

• Laying nearly 7 miles of track.

• Relocating utilities.

• Reconstructing streets and sidewalks.

• Building 14 stations.

• Tearing down the old Bremer Bank building so track can be laid diagonally from Cedar Street to Fourth Street.