The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has extended the deadline by at least one more week for backers of high speed rail to get support to move the project forward and perhaps more importantly, get Gov. Rick Scott to reverse his decision to reject billions of dollars of federal monies for the system.
Last week, Scott had turned down $2.4 billion dollars of federal grant monies, saying that the risk outweighed the benefits of high speed rail. But, since then, a bi-partisan group of local elected officials that backed the project, was given until today to work out a plan to remove all risk from Florida taxpayers, Scott’s over-riding concern, should there be cost over-runs or if the project faltered.
Although an alternative plan was worked out in which private entities would be the ones facing financial repercussions if the rail system failed, Scott remained unconvinced, saying that nothing had changed.
Meanwhile, Scott, who met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood earlier today in Washington, D.C., asked for additional information on the proposed Florida high speed rail.
In reacting to this news, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) said in a statement, “I am grateful the governor has agreed to receive the facts on how the state will have no financial responsibility in high-speed rail. I’m especially grateful to Secretary [ Ray ] LaHood for giving Florida at least one more week before our money goes to another state.”
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said of a further extension that, he was appreciative of the “patience” and “cooperation” that had been received from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“Getting a deadline extension multiples times as we’ve been able to do is somewhat unprecedented,” Dyer said in a statement. “It goes to show you how many people at every level of government and throughout Florida believe the power of this project.”
Dyer added that he hoped Scott will “reconsider his position on this issue.”
“The Orlando to Tampa High Speed Rail Line has impacts far beyond the borders of Central Florida as this project was to be the first step in a statewide and then national high speed rail network, and thus, the foundation for transforming America’s transit system into a 21st century engine of progress and job creation,” Dyer said. “I am committed to doing everything possible to bring high speed rail to Florida.”
