Twin Cities Central Corridor / Dealmakers hold ticket to new li...

They should tie funding for the U of M's building projects, specifically the four science buildings approved this year, to the completion of the Central Corridor. That might make the U of M reconsider their all out efforts to kill this project.

We send in Minnesota send in tax revenue into a pool that get's pilfered by east coast states with better political representation and greater rail transit needs. Then, eventually, if we make the right back-room deal, and we agree to tax a bit ($70,000 million) more, we hope to get a portion of our initial tax contribution back.

Makes one yearn for a real third choice in politics. One that would just quit taxing us and then promising to give us some of our money back to entities that toe the party line. We're tired of this game - leave us, our freedoms, and our wallets alone!

The U of M should not be telling the State and the City how to us our roads! They are not elected officals!

If our governor and legislators screw this one up and lose hundreds of millions in federal funding for a transportation project we clearly need to make the metro are more livable and successful, voters will react and elect people that can get the job done. Enough with your politics.

Missing in everyone of these stories is what a complete boondoggle this will be. Where are the stories about how this will really cost 150 billion? How about the fact that when they add more then stops every mile it would not meet Fed cost benefit measures. How about the fact that best case senerio this debacle will lose a min of $20 million per year. What about stories that regardless of predictions nowhere near projections will people ride in this can.

The reporting on this whole debacle is scandalous.

Light rail is working well in lots of other cities. All these dire predictions about how it will never work here ignore that reality. Why would it be so different here compared to elsewhere? I have yet to hear any explanation of what makes the Twin Cities so different. Plus, it ignores our own history. We had a very successful rail-based trolley system in the Twin Cities for many years. I think most of these posters are just against the idea because it's one of those us-versus-them liberal-vs-conservative issues.

Hey Governor & Legislature, WHAT PART OF "WE DONT WANT LIGHT RAIL" DONT YOU GET??? STOP OVERTAXING US AND WASTING OUR MONEY!!!!

QQ in St Paul wrote:

Hey Governor & Legislature, WHAT PART OF "WE DONT WANT LIGHT RAIL" DONT YOU GET??? STOP OVERTAXING US AND WASTING OUR MONEY!!!!

Maybe you don't want light rail, but that doesn't mean there isn't a majority of people that won't use it. Go to any other larger metropolitan city and you will find some form of Light Rail, be it subway or trolley cars. The numbers will only grow as the system becomes larger and the places that the train will take you become more accessible.

Now if we could bridge the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling and run a light-rail line from downtown Saint Paul via West Seventh to the airport, our cup would runneth over. It's the next logical route but the river, unfortunately, presents a formidable (and expensive) barrier. But the "U" isn't in the way!

QQ in St Paul wrote:

Hey Governor & Legislature, WHAT PART OF "WE DONT WANT LIGHT RAIL" DONT YOU GET??? STOP OVERTAXING US AND WASTING OUR MONEY!!!!

A poll done in 2007 showed 85% of Twin Cities residents support building a network of light rail and commuter rail lines.

If our budget is 900 million is the hole. Where are going to come up with our mininmum amount of 450 million for this project? We need a new bridge in Mpls Lowry ave, Hastings, St Cloud, possible Duluth. Besides they don't even have a plan for Washington Ave traffic. How much extra will that cost? No light rail.

Denver, where I used to live, already has six, very popular light rail lines, as well as plans for at least six more lines, primarily to suburbs, by 2020 (a project known as Fast-Trax). Keep in mind, cities like Denver are our competitors, and many have been much more progressive about developing transit options. But people here seem to continually hem and haw over a single line.

Phil wrote:

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A poll done in 2007 showed 85% of Twin Cities residents support building a network of light rail and commuter rail lines.

Then the metro area (perhaps the Met Council) should PAY for it. Those of us out in the boonies are tired of footing the bill to make the metro more "livable," all the while watching all of the jobs disappear from rural MN

Phil wrote:

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A poll done in 2007 showed 85% of Twin Cities residents support building a network of light rail and commuter rail lines.

If they want it, make them pay for it, not the entire state of MN.

Everyone like using other peoples money. I bet if you ask whether or not they would pay for it exclusively, the answer would change dramatically.

They might think the US government is an 800 lbs gorilla, but the LRT is a $1 Billion disaster. They also need to stop throwing millions of dollars into studies!

STOP THE MADNESS!!

Disgruntled Outstater wrote:

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Then the metro area (perhaps the Met Council) should PAY for it. Those of us out in the boonies are tired of footing the bill to make the metro more "livable," all the while watching all of the jobs disappear from rural MN

The metro area will pay for the lion's share of the cost.

Caren Dewar for President!!!

Jimmy Janos wrote:

Why so urgent on LRT and so much delay and scrutiny for a Vikings stadium?

One is public transit. The other is a private business.

Keep your nose out of it, Texas.

Phil wrote:

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The metro area will pay for the lion's share of the cost.

Actually, the FEDS seem to be paying the lions share. If LRT cannot support itself, why should the rest of the country pay for even more Oberstar pork?