advertisement

---

Here’s a bit more detail on what the state of Florida, which received the largest share of the nearly $80 million in high-speed intercity passenger rail program funding the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released on May 27:

Florida’s $66.6 million grant covers the next six months of work. Proceeds will help the state complete 30 percent of the design for the Orlando-Tampa high-speed rail segment, ramp up the public outreach plan, update ridership projections, buy right of way and complete preliminary station design, according to a statement posted on the Florida High Speed Rail Authority’s website.

During the next few weeks, crews will perform soil-testing work in the Interstate 4 median; other Florida firms have been doing aerial and ground surveys for the past two months. Preliminary engineering and design work also “will begin shortly,” according to the statement.

“We will eventually ask private companies to compete for the right to submit bids to build, operate and maintain the system,” said Kevin Thibault, interim executive director of the Florida Rail Enterprise.

Florida’s first funding installment is part of the $1.25 billion grant the state received in January from the USDOT.