U.S. to rebid $2.4 billion in Florida rail funds

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

(Reuters) - The Obama administration will rebid nearly $2.4 billion in high-speed rail grants recently rejected by Florida, one of three states to conclude "bullet train" projects are too expensive in a tough economy.

California and several Northeastern states have expressed interest in the money, much of which came from $8 billion in rail grants from the 2009 U.S. economic stimulus package.

"States across the country have been banging down our door for the opportunity to receive additional high-speed rail dollars," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on Friday in announcing his agency would rebid the funds initially awarded to Florida but declined by Governor Rick Scott.

Proposals are due on April 4.

A regional rail authority in Florida not affiliated with the state government is also interested in applying for the funds, according to Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson.

Florida had received a small fraction of the money for preliminary work on a proposed east-west line linking Orlando and Tampa.

Wisconsin and Ohio have also declined high-speed rail funds, and New Jersey separately rejected billions in federal funds for a new rail tunnel to New York City.

Florida and the other states said potential cost overruns made the projects unaffordable.

LaHood's decision to rebid the money followed attempts by Florida's congressional delegation and city mayors to try and redirect or otherwise salvage the grant.

The money is considered by rail supporters to be essential for job creation in Florida.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/11/us-usa-infrastructure-rail-idUSTRE72A8IE20110311?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&rpc=22&sp

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

We don't need the stinkin' jobs here in FL. We love our 12% unemployment rate. Or at least our crook governor does.

[^_^ 5,021]

We don't need the stinkin' jobs here in FL. We love our 12% unemployment rate. Or at least our crook governor does.

It's not just about the jobs. Sure, you could spend the money and some people would have jobs while it was being built, but then what? Florida doesn't have nearly the population density to support rail.

Federal rail dollars need to be limited to geographies that have the density to support this. The ranking republicans in congress are right about this one - this money needs to be limited to the Boston-Washington corridor. It's a waste anywhere else.

[lostinblue 1,989]

It's not just about the jobs. Sure, you could spend the money and some people would have jobs while it was being built, but then what? Florida doesn't have nearly the population density to support rail.

Federal rail dollars need to be limited to geographies that have the density to support this. The ranking republicans in congress are right about this one - this money needs to be limited to the Boston-Washington corridor. It's a waste anywhere else.

Correct if you do the math high speed rail is a big sucking sound to no where for most americans. Unless you are a union construction worker or a union railroad worker.