The $435 million North Shore Connector project to extend the light-rail system via twin tunnels under the Allegheny River has received two key approvals --- from outgoing U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and from the Office of Budget and Management.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County received notification today from Washington, D.C. The project would extend the light-rail system from Downtown to the stadium area of the North Side.

The last three approvals also appear on the way --- from the authority's nine-member board of directors, which has scheduled a special meeting for Thursday to award the first construction contract; from the U.S. Congress after a 60-day review, which started today and is usually a formality; and from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, which is expected to amend the region's transportation funding program July 31 to officially authorize the extra North Shore Connector spending.

The flurry of bureaucratic activity puts the project on track for a fall groundbreaking, followed by more than three years of work.

It also sets the stage for the Federal Transit Administration to sign a full-funding agreement in September, committing it to a $348 million share of costs.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.