(a) The Metropolitan Council may exercise the powers granted in this chapter and in other applicable law, as necessary, to plan, design, acquire, construct, and equip light rail transit facilities in the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2.

(b) Notwithstanding any cooperative agreement between the commissioner of transportation and the Metropolitan Council in section 473.3994, subdivision 1a, if the council is the responsible authority, the commissioner of transportation must provide staff assistance to the council. To the extent practicable, the Metropolitan Council must utilize the Department of Transportation staff assistance for:

(1) delivery method selection for the design, planning, acquisition, construction, and equipping of light rail transit projects;

(2) risk assessment analysis in the planning, designing, and construction of a light rail transit facility or a new light rail transit project;

(3) contractor and subcontractor schedule analysis and contractual requirements;

(4) light rail transit project cost management and budget analysis for the planning, designing, and construction of a light rail transit facility or new light rail transit project; and

(5) any other technical areas of expertise that the Department of Transportation may offer.

(c) If the Metropolitan Council is the responsible authority, the council must select a qualified project manager and lead project engineer with at least ten years’ transportation industry experience to lead the planning, design, acquisition, construction, or equipping of a new light rail transit project.