Good News: The High-Speed train IS coming

Finally, after some months of discussion, Florida's High-speed train will become a reality. It will link Tampa to Orlando, having multiple stops along the way, including one stop inside the Walt Disney World resort. Here you are the complete article, courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel:

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Feds send final $342 million needed for high-speed train

The last piece of funding for a high-speed train linking Orlando and Tampa came through Thursday, after the White House sent to Florida $342 million from two states that rejected federal rail grants.

The award means the $2.7 billion project essentially is paid for, with almost 90 percent coming from the federal government and the remainder pledged in installments by the state.

Eight teams of companies have indicated they would compete to design, build and run the 84-mile system, which would run largely along the median of Interstate 4. Construction could begin in late 2012, with the first trains rolling in 2015.

[...] the train would create thousands of jobs that would provide a spark to Florida's struggling economy.

"With the unemployment rate in our state just under 12 percent, this investment in our state's infrastructure comes at a most critical time," Brown said. "With this funding, Florida's economy can begin to reverse this trend."

This was the third infusion of federal cash to Florida for the train. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden came to Tampa in January to announce an initial grant from the federal stimulus package of $1.2 billion. Another $800 million was sent in October.

Florida's gain came at the expenses of Ohio and Wisconsin, which had been given a total of $1.2 billion to upgrade rail lines for passenger trains in those states.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, "I am pleased that so many other states are enthusiastic about the additional support they are receiving to help bring America's high-speed rail network to life."

In addition to Florida, California was given $624 million and Washington state $161.5 million. Eleven other states received the rest of the money.

[The new train] would connect Orlando International Airport to just east of downtown Tampa.
Additional stops will be at the Orange County Convention Center, Walt Disney World and Lakeland.

A second, 230-mile line from Miami to Orlando could be complete by 2017 if funding is found.

Hitting an anticipated top speed of 168 mph, the train could go from OIA to Tampa in about 44 minutes, as opposed to an hour and a half by car.

Copyright © 2010, Orlando Sentinel. All rights reserved.

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This is a very, very good news, especially for Floridians and for visitors that would like to visit Tampa, along with its beaches and theme parks. As it was said in the article too, with the car it takes almost one hour and a half to get to Tampa. With this new train, it will take less than half the time!