President Obama, less than 24 hours after delivering his first State of the Union address, will visit Tampa, where he would announce the granting of $1.2 billion in federal funds for high speed rail between Tampa and Orlando. The funds are part of a $8 billion package for high speed rail projects, nationwide.
However, the federal funds for Florida fall short by $1.0 billion, where the overall estimated cost of the Tampa-Orlando high speed rail has been put at $3.0 billion. Florida had applied for $2.6 billion under the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the Tampa-Orlando segment.
Last month, Florida’s legislature passed landmark legislation in a special session, with the expectation that the state’s chances would be boosted to receive federal funding and also lay the ground work for Tampa-Orlando-Miami corridor. The bill also allows for the creation of SunRail, Central Florida’s first commuter rail line.
President Obama, accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden, is expected to make the announcement later today, January 28th during a townhall meeting at the University of Tampa Bob Martinez Sports Center. The audience will be composed of approximately 2,500-3,000 Tampa area residents, students, workers, business owners, and leaders.
For more information on the Tampa-Orlando-Miami high speed rail, CLICK HERE
