Ellison Hails Progress on Minnesota Light-Rail

Statement

Today Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-05) welcomed the Federal Transit Administration's approval to begin the preliminary engineering phase of the Southwest Corridor light-rail transit line. The project, the third of its kind in the Minneapolis region, will connect downtown Minneapolis with several suburbs, including Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Eden Prairie. Projections estimate it will serve nearly 250,000 commuters. Ellison has long advocated for the line and secured $534,000 to help fund the project in 2009.

"This is great news for Minnesotans and for the state's economy," Ellison said. "The Southwest Light Rail Transit line will not only serve hundreds of thousands of working Minnesotans, but will create much-needed jobs. Projects like these are what Americans expect of their government: green, cost-effective investments that create jobs, and help grow our economy. I will push in this Congress and beyond to make sure we continue to fund this vital project."

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