Whether perceived or real, it doesn't matter. We think we resolved the concern. . . . We think we moved quickly. State Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg downplayed the significance of the FTA's concerns as a sign the project was in trouble. The project is awaiting FTA approval to move into final design, and a decision on federal funding is expected in October.
Federal requirements have to be met for participation in the project.
The FTA's letters to the Met Council, sent this month and last, have come while state officials continued to maintain that the project was being well-received by the federal government. State officials have not discussed the FTA's concerns in public meetings on the project. Indeed, Dick Stehr, metro division engineer for the Transportation Department, and the ranking department staff member on the light-rail project, said Wednesday that Stead was making a purely professional move. We are sad to see Bill go and understand that promotional opportunities come along in the private sector. Parsons Brinckerhoff, in a press statement, said that Stead was being replaced by John Harrison, a company vice president and senior associate.