The proposed Red Line extension has cleared the first major hurdle it it's path, with the approval by the MTA board of Councilmember Tom Labonge's motion to lift the ban on subway tunneling through methane fields.

As reported via email by Bart Reed of the Transit Coalition, the board voted 11-2 to move forward on efforts to lobby Washington to reverse the ban, with Michael Antonovich and Frank Roberts the two holdouts.

This thing is by no means in the bag, but it is heartening to know that there exists a strong, countywide consensus that a westward expansion of subway service should be a focus of future transit planning.  ¶ 9:40 PM