Transportation Secretary Gives Florida Extra Week to Accept Rail Funds
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood decided on Feb. 25, after meeting with Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), to grant the governor another week to review a plan that would create an interlocal entity to oversee the proposed $2.7-billion Orlando-to-Tampa high-speed rail line and eliminate all state liability for the project.
“I feel we owe it to the people of Florida, who have been working to bring high-speed rail to their state for the last 20 years, to go the extra mile,” LaHood said in a statement.
The federal government has committed $2.4 billion to the project, to be designed, built, operated and maintained by a private consortium, which officials expect will provide the state�s share of $280 million. But on Feb. 16, the governor rejected the federal funding before the groups could submit bids.
The state planned to request bids for the Orlando-Tampa line this year and had been ready to release an estimated $170 million in “early works” contracts to prepare the Interstate-4 median for the system.
A bi-partisan group from Florida�s congressional delegation worked with U.S. Dept. of Transportation officials and local representatives to address Scott�s concerns. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D) says a new legal entity, the Florida Regional High Speed Rail Commission, would enter into a contract with the private companies that would design, build, operate, maintain and finance the project�s development. The commission would be overseen by officials from the cities of Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland and Miami.
“There would be no financial risk to Florida taxpayers,” says Nelson. “It is a way to fortify our state�s transportation network and foster growth. More importantly, given the hard times we�re all facing, it was a chance to bring thousands of new jobs to Florida.”
LaHood has already indicated if Florida turns down the funds, the $2.4 billion will be reallocated to other states interested in building high-speed rail lines.
Another enormous waste of taxpayers money that the entire country will be paying for over the next 30 years. High speed rail is a "nice idea " but how many schools, medical clinics, hi...
February 26, 2011
Another enormous waste of taxpayers money that the entire country will be paying for over the next 30 years. High speed rail is a "nice idea " but how many schools, medical clinics, highways, etc. would have been a better use. Before the taxpayers pay for that rail line, it will likely fall in to disuse because of it's low usage and high maintenance costs. They will likely staff it with Government workers at outrageous salaries. There is a reason private railroads won't build it. This will not be money well spent. But add this to the list of "nice ideas" proposed by bureaucrats who have no idea of how to run a business. But they can run the taxpayers in to the ground. A better use of the money would be to further develop a National rail system that is not high speed. High speed rail would need to operate on their dedicated rails. They aren't going to want to share the rails with 60 or 70 MPH freight trains.
If the price of gas goes to $8.00 per gallon like in Europe, high speed rail might be more feasible. By the way, high speed trains cannot use the existing rail system. The 200 miles per...
February 26, 2011
If the price of gas goes to $8.00 per gallon like in Europe, high speed rail might be more feasible. By the way, high speed trains cannot use the existing rail system. The 200 miles per hour speed is too high. Also, the system must be completely separate from other tranaportation modes which means no grade crossings. The trains can not be impeded and stops can only be made at designated stations.
My family would definitely use the Florida HSR line to travel between Orlando, Tampa, and eventually Miami. Plus the Florida line is on new track separate from freight trains so this H...
February 26, 2011
My family would definitely use the Florida HSR line to travel between Orlando, Tampa, and eventually Miami. Plus the Florida line is on new track separate from freight trains so this HSR system will move at much higher speeds. Some additional food for thought. Back in the days of the birth of the Interstate Highway System it was championed by a Republican President - President Dwight D. Eisenhower. What ever happened to infrastructure investments being viewed as good for the country as opposed to a win for one political party and a loss for the other? Partisan politics have turned toxic as of late, and in my opinion has contributed to our current economic condition. FYI - Eisenhower's National System of Interstate is about to be surpassed in lane miles by the Chinese expressway system in 2011.
How much does Florida have to spend to complete this project?
February 28, 2011
How much does Florida have to spend to complete this project?
I like the "head in the sand" approach above. Lets continue to ignore the fact that the world is changing around us and stick with the status quo whether it makes sense or not.
February 28, 2011
I like the "head in the sand" approach above. Lets continue to ignore the fact that the world is changing around us and stick with the status quo whether it makes sense or not.
Transportation, like education, is a good example of market failure. Transporation infrastructure has significant positive externalities. Whenever there are positive externalities that ...
February 28, 2011
Transportation, like education, is a good example of market failure. Transporation infrastructure has significant positive externalities. Whenever there are positive externalities that the private sector cannot profit from there will be under-investment. The public sector has to step in to make the investment and accept the risk. Maybe high speed rail needs to be framed as a "national defense" project like the interstate system (was that a boondoggle?) to get the teaparty types such as Gov. Scott to support it. We could add an MX missle to each train (now that was a boondoggle!). A Citizen of Florida.
I wish we could use the money on commuter rail or even a multi-county bus system in Tampa Bay instead. I have no need to go to Orlando. I just want to get to downtown Tampa, USF, and ...
February 28, 2011
I wish we could use the money on commuter rail or even a multi-county bus system in Tampa Bay instead. I have no need to go to Orlando. I just want to get to downtown Tampa, USF, and St. Pete from my home in Palm Harbor without sitting in traffic for an hour.
Secretary LaHood is being too generous. But in all sincerety, he's wasting his and US DOT's time. He should just give the money to the other states where HSR lines have been proposed. F...
February 28, 2011
Secretary LaHood is being too generous. But in all sincerety, he's wasting his and US DOT's time. He should just give the money to the other states where HSR lines have been proposed. From the short time I've been living here in FL, I've learned that this state is not proactive in decision making, that is planning or setting the path for future growth and need. Instead, I've noticed a more reactive stance, where decisions are made almost last minute, without all the facts, to favore special interest groups, and/or when there is a crisis or areas have been declared as disaster areas.
Although I hope that I'm proven wrong, I think FL is not ready for such system based on the various comments I've read on articles like this one. I suggest that maybe more money should be invested (spent as some prefer) on education, so that when making a decision to approve or reject this HSR and all projects comes after answering the following questions: Do we need it? Why do we need it?
Although I hope that I'm proven wrong, I think FL is not ready for such system based on the various comments I've read on articles like this one. I suggest that maybe more money should be invested (spent as some prefer) on education, so that when making a decision to approve or reject this HSR and all projects comes after answering the following questions: Do we need it? Why do we need it?
High speed rail would work only if it's on seperate right of way and if enough people will ride. Otherwise, it's just more debt for my kids to pay off
February 28, 2011
High speed rail would work only if it's on seperate right of way and if enough people will ride. Otherwise, it's just more debt for my kids to pay off
Am I missing something here. <br/>Why is Secretary LaHood so desperate to have the HSR (the best transportation idea ever conceived by man-LOL) built in Florida? <br/>This reminds me o...
February 28, 2011
Am I missing something here.
Why is Secretary LaHood so desperate to have the HSR (the best transportation idea ever conceived by man-LOL) built in Florida?
This reminds me of the high-pitched sales scams that always leave the hapless consumer with a useless product and loss of a couple of hundred dollars. Only this time the loss will be in Billions of Dollars. In this era of irresponsible spending, I guess a couple of billion dollars does not really matter.
What next Secretary Lahood if this latest Stimulus to Florida Governor does not work? Ahhh, I know the answer - quickly bring out the candy jar. It always works. Mr. Governor, you know the end results of the candy bribery - do not fall for it.
Why is Secretary LaHood so desperate to have the HSR (the best transportation idea ever conceived by man-LOL) built in Florida?
This reminds me of the high-pitched sales scams that always leave the hapless consumer with a useless product and loss of a couple of hundred dollars. Only this time the loss will be in Billions of Dollars. In this era of irresponsible spending, I guess a couple of billion dollars does not really matter.
What next Secretary Lahood if this latest Stimulus to Florida Governor does not work? Ahhh, I know the answer - quickly bring out the candy jar. It always works. Mr. Governor, you know the end results of the candy bribery - do not fall for it.
If you want to bitch about waste of tax payer's money go to "cost of war.com" where borrowed money to be repaid by the taxpayer is being spent to the tune of a million dollars a minute....
March 1, 2011
If you want to bitch about waste of tax payer's money go to "cost of war.com" where borrowed money to be repaid by the taxpayer is being spent to the tune of a million dollars a minute. It does "create jobs" turning America's finest into cannon fodder while dumping money on foreign shores, a good portion of which will end up in the hands of the "enemy". Compared to that, investment in upgrading public infrastructure, which has been integral in spurring significant growth in the post WW2 era (consider the Interstate Highway system which was also opposed as a waste of money) looks like a bargain compared to over a trillion dollars spent in Iraq and Afghanistan in the past 10 years. What do we have to show for that?
Most of the comments made proove the point that the best investment Florida can make is guided towards education. If HSR does not go through, would Floridean be against improvements to ...
March 1, 2011
Most of the comments made proove the point that the best investment Florida can make is guided towards education. If HSR does not go through, would Floridean be against improvements to interstates, and to existing collective transportation systems (i.e., Amtrak)? What I would like to see is ideas, plans set forth to stimulate the economy, create jobs. I don't want to see or hear people saying no, and not propose an alternative/option of what to do instead.
Anybody who truly has Florida's best interest at heart should understand and acknowledge the following. Firstly, the 2.5 billion dollars is already encumbered funds, and the money ain'...
March 2, 2011
Anybody who truly has Florida's best interest at heart should understand and acknowledge the following. Firstly, the 2.5 billion dollars is already encumbered funds, and the money ain't going back in the bank. Also, some of it is money we Floridians have already paid in to the federal government. Since Scott refuses to act upon the will of the majority of his constituents and accept the funds, that money will go to other states and we will continue to be what is called a "donor state", meaning that we pay in more to the feds than we get back.
The other thing I find so disturbing is that people keep saying that the rail systems don't make money. IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE MONEY. Do the highways make money? Do the airports make money? NO, but we pay for them. Why isn't anyone concerned about that? The purpose of rail transportation is to provide a safe, economical, environmentally friendly mode of transportation. The numbers show that rail transportation is better in every way than highways or air travel. The cost per passenger-mile is much lower. People, get with it!!!
The other thing I find so disturbing is that people keep saying that the rail systems don't make money. IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE MONEY. Do the highways make money? Do the airports make money? NO, but we pay for them. Why isn't anyone concerned about that? The purpose of rail transportation is to provide a safe, economical, environmentally friendly mode of transportation. The numbers show that rail transportation is better in every way than highways or air travel. The cost per passenger-mile is much lower. People, get with it!!!
