Florida’s long-held dream of having a bullet train is back on track with Gov. Charlie Crist announcing that the state Department of Transportation has submitted an application for funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s high-speed intercity passenger rail program.
Crist said initial funds would be sought for a rail system between Tampa and Orlando because it is considered “ready to go” under federal guidelines, but the rail service could expand to other areas of the state.
Florida spent millions developing the Tampa-to-Orlando corridor after voters statewide in 2000 approved a constitutional amendment authorizing development of high-speed rail. A panel overseeing the project estimated it would cost about $2.7 billion with financing largely to come from state-issued revenue bonds.
But the plug was pulled on the project when former Gov. Jeb Bush said its cost would bankrupt the state, and he convinced voters to repeal the amendment in late 2004. However, Florida law still provided for its development to relieve road congestion as part of the state transportation plan.
When the federal stimulus act provided funds for several high-speed rail projects in the country, Florida’s plan was dusted off and readied for the application process. More information is available at
