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Trail mix: State reaps $25 million for paths Melissa Lee Star Tribune Washington Bureau Correspondent Published July 30,2005 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tucked into Congress' transportation bill is a$25 million gift to Twin Cities bicyclists, runners and walkers. Minnesota is one of four states included in a federally financed pilot program aimed at easing transportation gluts and encouraging people to leave their cars in the garage. As part of the bill now headed for President Bush's desk, the Twin Cities will get $6.25 million each of the next four years to build bike trails and pedestrian lanes that connect the region's neighborhoods, schools and businesses. Other states included in the program are Missouri, Wisconsin and California. "Minneapolis is a great example of a trails city. There's already over 200 trails in the two cities," said Katie Magers. Magers is a spokeswoman for the Rails to Trails Conservancy, a national group holding its convention in Minneapolis this week. "The program is basically to exhibit that walking and biking help to alleviate the transportation issues in cities," she said. The money is the result of a legislative move by Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., a cycling enthusiast who has pushed such projects for years. Oberstar, the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation Committee, was also able to get an additional $27 million from the transportation bill for trails proj ect in his district, which covers most of northern Minnesota. "We want to take the fear out of walking or biking and return people to a healthy lifestyle," he said. The House passed the measure, 4�2-8, followedbythe Senate, 91-4, both on Friday. Bush has promised to sign it. Also included in the transportation bill is $3 million for expansion of the Cedar Lake Regional Trail, a popular running and biking trail in the Twin Cities. Those funds, earmarkedby Rep. Martin Sabo, �-Minn•, will help connect the trail from downtown Minneapolis to surrounding communities as far away as the Chain of Lakes. Keith Prussing, president of the Cedar Lake Park Association, said he hopes the proj ect will be completed by 2007.