If the Central Corridor never gets built, it won't be the U's fault.

The University of Minnesota's burden as the lone holdout against the planned 11-mile route of the light-rail line linking St. Paul and Minneapolis will likely be lifted today, when the institution's governing body is expected to endorse a route along Washington Avenue, President Robert Bruininks said Wednesday.

From the Pioneer Press, June 12, 2008

Full Story "U reversing stand with regents' vote today endorsing light-rail route through heart of campus" »

Posted by campb567 at 08:44 PM | Permalink

The University of Minnesota will set aside its long-held objections and support the running of light-rail trains on Washington Avenue, University President Robert Bruininks said Wednesday.

From the Star Tribune, June 12, 2008

Full Story "U changes direction on light-rail trains" »

Posted by campb567 at 06:25 PM | Permalink

A land-grant university has a unique responsibility to take the long view. The preservation of the past and the realization of the future are inherent in our mission — and as a university, we have an obligation, greater even than that of our elected officials, to thoroughly analyze complex problems and their several solutions before drawing conclusions.

From MinnPost.com, June 10, 2008

Full Story "Moving forward on the Central Corridor" »

Posted by campb567 at 07:32 PM | Permalink

The Metropolitan Council dealt the University a painful, yet unsurprising blow last Wednesday when it unanimously voted to end consideration of the northern alignment light-rail route, but decisions on the line remain.

From the Minnesota Daily, June 4, 2008

Full Story "Central corridor going down Washington Avenue" »

Posted by campb567 at 05:58 PM | Permalink

The Central Corridor light rail line metaphorically rolled into Minneapolis City Hall on Tuesday afternoon.

Central Corridor planners and the Metropolitan Council held an open house at City Hall, showing off preliminary design plans for the line.

Although the Central Corridor will primarily run through St. Paul, part of the line will extend into Minneapolis, connecting with the existing Hiawatha LRT line.

Full Story "Central Corridor’s next stop: Minneapolis" »

Posted by Bill Otto at 04:56 PM | Permalink

Bob Bruininks won't budge.

After a 1-week allowance to get on board the current plan for the Central Corridor, the University of Minnesota president has decided to oppose the plan, according to a letter Bruininks sent to Met Council Chair Peter Bell.

From the Pioneer Press, Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Full Story "U prez: We won't budge on light rail" »

Posted by campb567 at 06:41 PM | Permalink

The Central Corridor light rail line faces a crucial vote.

All the local governments involved are board for the proposed route for the roughly 900 million dollar light-rail line between St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Full Story "Central Corridor light rail line faces a crucial vote" »

Posted by Bill Otto at 06:28 PM | Permalink

For months, the University of Minnesota has warned before it won't support Washington Avenue route for the Central Corridor transit system, meant to connect Minneapolis and St. Paul by light rail.

And less than a week before Metropolitan Council planners meet Wednesday to vote on it, the school's president again signaled its dissent.

The university is calling on the Metropolitan Council to consider an alternative "northern alignment" route that would run through the Dinkytown area just north of campus.

"The University cannot support any measure that calls for the elimination of the northern alignment from consideration at this time," University President Robert Bruininks wrote in a letter dated May 23 addressed to Peter Bell, chairman of the Metropolitan Council.

The letter was also sent to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the university's Board of Regents, members of the Central Corridor Management Committee and Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough.

Bell has said previously that delaying the project to study the university's proposal further would risk the $892 million project.

Posted by Bill Otto at 06:25 PM | Permalink

The U wants more consideration of a route through Dinkytown; the council says the delay would threaten funding.

Full Story "Volume rises as U, Met Council debate Central Corridor route" »

Posted by Bill Otto at 06:21 PM | Permalink

St. Paul, Minn. — Supporters of the Central Corridor light rail line breathed a sigh of relief this weekend when Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders ended their marathon talks with an a deal that includes state funding for construction.

From Minnesota Public Radio, May 19, 2008

Full Story "Central Corridor planning moves forward" »

Posted by campb567 at 08:32 PM | Permalink

After the state legislature voted to approved $70 million in financing for the Central Corridor line, and saving $450 million in federal money, Peter Bell had reason to celebrate.

Full Story "Central Corridor Steams Ahead, 'U' Path Unknown" »

Posted by Bill Otto at 04:45 PM | Permalink

by Tom Weber, Minnesota Public Radio

The Central Corridor light rail line from Minneapolis to St. Paul has faced two unknowns in recent months: state funding and the line's route through the University of Minnesota.

One of those issues was settled yesterday when lawmakers' approved $70 million for construction.

The university issue will be discussed -- and might also be settled -- on Wednesday.

Full Story "Central Corridor planning moves forward" »

Posted by Bill Otto at 04:39 PM | Permalink

by Laura Yuen, Minnesota Public Radio
May 13, 2008

Minnesota Rep. Jim Oberstar said recently passed federal legislation could resurrect debate over an underground light-rail tunnel through the University of Minnesota.

The U of M and the Metropolitan Council have been squabbling over how to weave the Central Corridor train through campus.

A September deadline for a federal funding application has put pressure on negotiations between the two parties. Oberstar's comments will likely add more fuel to the debate.

Full Story "U of M light rail tunnel could be back on the table" »

Posted by Bill Otto at 04:02 PM | Permalink

From Kare11, May 12, 2008

If you can't sell someone on the Central Corridor light rail line based purely on the merits, you try a different approach. Backers of the transit line, which would connect Minneapolis to downtown Saint Paul via University Avenue, are doing just that.

With time running out in the 2008 legislative session, Saint Paul Democrat Alice Hausman tried Friday to appeal to Governor Pawlenty's business sense.

Full Story "Central Corridor backers try new sales tactic with Pawlenty" »

Posted by University Relations at 10:09 PM | Permalink

Gov. Tim Pawlenty opened the door Wednesday for lawmakers to move forward in funding the Central Corridor this session, but some lawmakers say the University is getting in the way.

From The Minnesota Daily, May 1, 2008

Full Story "Pawlenty willing to accept Central Corridor" »

Posted by campb567 at 08:42 PM | Permalink