NORMAL - The planned uptown Normal transportation center would get the final $10 million it needs in federal funding if U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has his way.

Obama included the money in his fiscal year 2008 funding requests announced Thursday. The list of 113 projects totaling more than $300 million also includes money for three Illinois State University projects.

Federal lawmakers regularly ask for money for their pet projects through the "earmarks" process. But lately, some have come under fire as lawmakers accuse each other of wasteful spending while trying to win special money for their own areas.

That's at least partly why Obama, who is a Democratic candidate for president, released the list.

"He believes all Americans have a right to know what he's advocating for in Washington, whether it's a road that needs repair, a civic education program or research into converting corn into ethanol," said Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt.

Normal officials know the money is far from assured. The list still has to go through Congress and the White House.

"This is just a request," said City Manager Mark Peterson. "It has a long way to go. But it's a good start."

Peterson said the fact that the town's full request for the project made it to Obama's list shows it's one of his higher priorities.

"I really think the One Voice task force had an impact," said Peterson, referring to the group of community leaders who traveled to Washington, D.C., in March to seek funding for various projects, including the transportation center.

The $10 million is all that is needed in federal money for the transportation center, planned on land along Beaufort Street just west of the Children's Discovery Museum. The town has already received $10 million in federal funding.

Peterson said the town still is seeking state matching money. The state had earmarked $2.35 million for the project but not all of that is available.

The town has $12.2 million budgeted for the project.

Plans for the center are 98 percent complete, he said, so it could start when funding becomes available.

Final approval of federal funding requests typically comes in the fall. The money would be available in July 2008, Peterson said.

The entire project - the building, a plaza between the transportation center and the museum, and accompanying road work - is expected to cost about $34.5 million.

Besides money for the transportation center, Obama also is requesting money for three ISU programs: $300,000 for the Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline Programs and Partnerships; $500,000 for the Great Lakes Teacher Preparation leadership Preparation Consortium; and $500,000 for the Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory.