Florida is slated to receive another $342 million from the federal government toward the construction of the Tampa to Orlando high speed rail line, the U.S. Department of Transportation said on Thursday.
The $342 million comes on top of the $2.05 billion the state has already received from funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise knows as stimulus funds, and on the heels of reports that Wisconsin and Ohio governors rejected their awards.
With the Tampa to Orlando high speed rail line estimated to cost $2.65 billion and the state agreeing to contribute some $280 million, Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fl) said that the price tag for construction would be fully paid for.
“The federal government has stepped up and done its part,” Nelson said. “There should be no reason now why this can’t get done.”
Meanwhile, Gov.-elect Rick Scott said during the campaign that Florida should not move ahead with high speed rail unless the project is fully funded by the federal government. He had proposed then, that a final feasibility study be undertaken to see exactly what the state is responsible for.
With today’s additional grant award, the time has come for Mr. Scott to speak up.
