ST. PAUL, MN – On Tuesday, House Republicans released a new $800 million bonding proposal. The legislation would appropriate up to $12.1 million to fund the Metro Orange Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line between Minneapolis and Lakeville.
Transportation Policy Vice Chair, Rep. Jon Koznick, R-Lakeville, has championed this project the last two biennium by authoring legislation to fund the Orange BRT Line.
“I’ve long been a supporter of Bus Rapid Transit between Lakeville and Minneapolis, and am extremely pleased to have the inclusion of the Orange Line project in our new bonding proposal,” said Koznick. “A properly funded Orange Line is a flexible, resourceful way for Lakeville residents to commute to downtown Minneapolis. These types of projects are an important compliment to the transportation system and relieves congestion in the entire I-35 corridor from downtown Minneapolis to Lakeville and all the way to more southern communities like Northfield, Faribault, and Owatonna. I’ll continue to advocate for the inclusion of this funding in any final bonding agreement.”
Specifically, the bill would appropriate, “Up to $12,100,000, but an amount that is no more than ten percent of the total project cost, is for the Metropolitan Council, or for the Metropolitan Council to make grants to political subdivisions, for design, acquisition of right-of-way, engineering, and construction of capital improvements along the I-35W corridor for completion of the Metro Orange Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line.”
###