Minnesota has been awarded $133.3 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Urban Partnership Agreement to cut congestion in the Twin Cities. The money, with a $54 million match from the state, will be used to improve flow on Interstate 35W between downtown Minneapolis and the southern suburbs. The Twin Cities was one of five areas chosen to receive the federal money after a nationwide competition. An alliance of south-metro and Minneapolis leaders that has long looked for 35W solutions was able to quickly pitch its approach and make a tight deadline.