Feds Announce $800 Million On Track to Florida for High-Speed Rail

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced it was sending an additional $800 million to the Sunshine State to build a high-speed rail connection between Orlando and Tampa -- leading the states two U.S. senators to cheer. The DOT also announced it would send $8 million to Florida to start high-speed rail between Orlando and Miami.

This is fantastic news for Florida, said Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.This will ensure the state remains full speed ahead with high-speed rail construction.As Ive said many times, high-speed rail will be a game changer for Floridas economy, along the likes of the interstate system and Disney.

These projects are vital to Floridas growth and our economy, and it is the right use of the taxpayers transportation dollars, insisted U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, a Republican. Floridas size, population growth, and number of major metropolitan areas demand better transportation solutions. I look forward to the day when people can travel to and from the major city and university centers in Florida in an hour or two.