On January 14th, US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
announced a new federal policy that will more fairly assess funding applications
for transit projects like the Red Line. Under the Bush Administration, “cost-
effectiveness” was the only standard used to determine whether a project
would receive federal funding. In announcing the new policy that will no
longer evaluate projects solely on cost, Secretary LaHood said:

"Our new policy for selecting major transit projects will work to promote
livability rather than hinder it. We want to base our decisions on how
much transit helps the environment, how much it improves development
opportunities and how it makes our communities better places to live."

The Red Line Project Team applauds this new approach from President Obama
and believes it is very promising for the Red Line. Although the new policy
increases the level of competition with other projects from around the country
seeking funding - this move is exactly the kind of policy change called for in
the Red Line Community Compact.

In November, we told you about the similarities between the Red Line and the
Central Corridor Light Rail project in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Both projects will pass
through diverse neighborhoods and offer many opportunities for development.
They have also both raised important community concerns. In response to the
new policy, many people in the Twin Cities have said this is a chance to start
over on the Central Corridor. But Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff
has had strong words for those who wish to begin anew on their project:

"The (FTA's) new policy should not be viewed as an opportunity to
send this project back to 'square one' and delay construction by several
years. Secretary LaHood and I are committed to working with local leaders
as partners to move this project forward in a cost effective manner that
serves all the communities along the route."

So rather than moving backwards, this policy shift allows for projects that have
already worked through the early stages of planning-such as the Red Line-
to move forward with greater trust that they will get the funding they need.

As outlined in the Community Compact, the many neighborhood benefits that
could result from building the Red Line include economic empowerment, improving
the environment, and investing in communities. Under the new policy, the Red Line
will now receive a more balanced review process for federal funds, which will take
into account providing jobs, getting people out of their cars, reducing pollution,
and stimulating development.

See the original press release from the Department of Transportation.
Read Peter Rogoff's letter to the people of Minneapolis/St. Paul.