McCollum Secures $475,000 Appropriation for Red Rock Commuter Corridor
Press Release
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Minnesota's member on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, today announced $475,000 in federal funding for the Red Rock Commuter Corridor has been included in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 1105), slated for final passage in Congress next week. The Red Rock Commuter corridor will serve the communities from Hastings to Union Depot in St. Paul along Highway 61 as part of a comprehensive regional transit system.
"During our challenging economic times we must move forward on transit investments, because commuters are saying they need alternatives to protect them from the volatility of fuel prices. Other regions of our country are making these investments, and Minnesotans in the East Metro area cannot afford to be left behind. The federal funding in this bill is another significant demonstration of the solid federal and local commitment to the planned Red Rock Rail Corridor. I commend the strong leadership of State Senator Katie Sieben, State Representative Karla Bigham and Commissioner Myra Peterson in advocating the Red Rock Corridor as a vital part of our comprehensive metropolitan transit network," Congresswoman McCollum said.
"We are grateful to have federal partners in Congresswoman McCollum and President Obama. Buses on the highway 61 corridor are running at capacity, and this funding will help provide more access to affordable, reliable and safe transit on the Red Rock Corridor," said State Senator Katie Sieben (DFL - Newport).
"We will continue to work at the state level to build on this investment in the Red Rock Corridor," said State Representative Karla Bigham (DFL-Cottage Grove). "Building more park and ride facilities will allow more residents to get out of their cars and onboard transit in our community."
Funding for the Red Rock Corridor is included in a $410 billion appropriations bill that funds mostly domestic discretionary investments for fiscal year 2009.
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