As Florida delays its high speed rail plan, corporations from around the world are eagerly pressing for bragging rights as builders of the first such line in the United States.
Eager to get Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s approval for the project, Florida Rail Enterprise officials have unwisely delayed advertising for proposals on a $70 million “early works” contract to prepare the Interstate 4 median for the line connecting Tampa to Orlando, estimated to have created about 2,000 jobs starting in March.
But, even as Florida puts the brakes on the rail line, seven foreign companies are chomping at the bit to bid on the $2.6 billion project, largely financed from federal government grant funds.
