A major roadblock in Minneapolis involving how its Southwest light rail and freight trains operate close to one another has been resolved, freeing local transit planners to apply for nearly $1 billion in federal funds to help pay for the project.

Planners of the Southwest light-rail project in Minnesota are facing another legal challenge, this time from a freight rail company that is slated to share a portion of the nearly 15-mile route between Minneapolis and Eden Prairie.

Come November, Minnesotans may decide whether the sales tax they pay for a variety of auto-related services — from oil changes to car rentals — should be dedicated solely to road and bridge improvements across the state.

BNSF Railway Co. said March 9 it will invest about $90 million this year to maintain its freight rail network in Minnesota.

With a cheery chime, a small, squarish minibus eased forward and tentatively took to the “highway” Dec. 12, advancing to a top speed of 3 miles per hour in the frigid morning air punctuated by a dash of swirling snow.

Residents have long worried about plans for Southwest light rail to operate alongside freight trains hauling ethanol, especially in densely populated areas such as Minneapolis.