Feds Award $800 Million More for Central Florida High-Speed Rail

Florida got word Monday that the federal government is granting another $800 million toward building a high-speed rail line through Central Florida, which could be similar to this one in South Korea. (Photo: Associated Press file)

By Tom Palmer
THE LEDGER

Published: Monday, October 25, 2010 at 11:52 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, October 25, 2010 at 11:52 a.m.

LAKELAND | U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson's office today announced Florida will get an additional $800 million in federal money to help pay for construction of a high-speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando.

Nelson, D-Florida, said he was informed of the grant by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Florida officals had applied for the grant last summer, which will require a 20 percent match by the state. That money comes on top of the $1.25 billion President Barack Obama had already announced the project was to receive.

The rail line, which will include a stop somewhere in Lakeland, could be the first-ever high-speed rail project in the United States. Construction of the Tampa-Orlando route is scheduled to begin by 2012, and it is to begin operating in 2015.