(VIDEO) It’s ‘Do or Die’ Time for Southwest LRT

The Southwest Light Rail Transit project needs people to speak up for it, Transit for Livable Communities organizers told residents at a meeting the transportation advocacy group hosted to boost support for the project.

“This is a crucial time for Southwest. We are right at the cusp—after 10 years and all that money—of really being able to put this line in service, of getting the federal commitment. But to do that, we have to have the state commitment,” Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison said at the meeting, which took place Wednesday at the Eden Prairie Library.

Transit for Livable Communities (TLC) organized the meeting as a forum for officials like Callison to discuss why they think light rail is critical for the region.

Southwest LRT has faced a tough road in the Legislature. Although Gov. Mark Dayton included $25 million for the project in his bonding proposal, from both the House and the Senate versions of the bill.

Officials at the TLC meeting said residents should pressure their legislators to set aside money for the project.

“This is do or die this session, as Jan (Callison) said,” Jennifer Mundt, secretary of the TLC board, told the audience. “Legislators need to hear from people out here who are saying we want better and more transportation choices.”

Do you think light rail is important? Should legislators set aside $25 million for the project? Tell us what you think in the comments below.