Erlandson pledges progress on rail, other transit

08/18/2006

Former state DFL Chair Mike Erlandson’s transportation priority as a congressman would be to make the Northstar Commuter Rail line a reality and to increase federal funding for Metro Transit.

ROCHELLE OLSON
Star Tribune
Last update: August 18, 2006 – 6:23 AM

Former state DFL Chair Mike Erlandson’s transportation priority as a congressman would be to make the Northstar Commuter Rail line a reality and to increase federal funding for Metro Transit.

“A well-integrated rail and bus network is the backbone of a good transit system,” Erlandson said. The North Star line is planned to run from downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake along Hwy. 10.

Erlandson mentioned his work for the past 19 years as a top aide to U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo, who will retire after this term, ending a 28-year congressional career. Erlandson is in a packed primary race, and the winner is expected to be the solid favorite to succeed Sabo.

“Mike has worked with Congressman Sabo for nearly a decade and it’s time to get those trains running,” said former Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg, who supports Erlandson.

His other transportation plans include building the Bottineau Boulevard Busway, the Central Corridor light-rail line, the Interstate Hwy. 35W bus/rapid-transit corridor, and expanding bus, light-rail and commuter rail.

Erlandson said he “knows how to bring home Minnesota’s fair share of federal transportation dollars.”

State Rep. Keith Ellison is the DFL endorsee in the Sept. 12 primary. Also running actively are former state Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge and Minneapolis City Council Member Paul Ostrow. The winner will face candidates from the Republican, Green and Independence parties in November.