Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, who serves as commissioner of transportation, and Met Council Chair Peter Bell have recommended that “no further study” be done on adding a possible light rail extension to the new 35W bridge, a decision that’s drawing fire from pro-transit activists.

A statement issued by Laura Baenen, communications director for Central Corridor LRT, said that “quick assessment of the LRT issue was needed because of the desire to move forward with the I-35W bridge replacement as expeditiously as possible”

But in a statement given to the Pioneer Press’ City Hall Scoop blog, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy said, Even if the bridge were just made transit-compatible, the line itself could afford to put the tracks across the bridge and save $200 million.”

And writing on the St. Paul Issues Forum, David Greene wrote, “We’re talking about the potential to save hundreds of millions of dollars on the Central Corridor project. We’re talking about the opportunity to put more stations in the Midway area as one west side station would be eliminated in the new alignment. Of course, this is all subject to a study that shows it’s the right thing to do but we should demand due diligence on this bridge. The governor wants to cut corners.”

The Metropolitan Council and the Central Corridor Management Committee will hold a joint meeting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Met Council’s chambers, 390 N. Robert Street, St. Paul.

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