Central Corridor nears the funding finish line

The Central Corridor project, which has been in the works for nearly 20 years, reached another milestone Tuesday. The Federal Transit Administration gave approval for the project to enter the final design stage.

Although the federal government still hasn’t officially agreed to cover half of the cost of light-rail construction, this final step is almost inevitable. According to officials, all projects that have reached the final design stage have received federal funding.

The utility construction that has been plaguing downtown Saint Paul for months will make it possible for the 11-mile light-rail line to be finished by 2014.