U.S. DOT to redirect high-speed stimulus funds intended for Wisconsin, Ohio to other states

Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it will redirect $1.195 billion in high-speed rail funds originally designated for Wisconsin and Ohio to other states to develop high-speed rail corridors.

Wisconsin has suspended work under its existing high-speed rail agreement, and incoming governors in both Wisconsin and Ohio have indicated they will not use high-speed rail money received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for high-speed rail development. The Federal Railroad Administration had announced Wisconsin would receive $810 million for the Milwaukee-to-Madison corridor and Ohio would receive $400 million for the Cincinnati-Columbus-Cleveland route.

The FRA now will work with the states to determine whether they’ve spent money under the stimulus contracts that needs to be reimbursed.

Meanwhile, the stimulus funds originally intended for Wisconsin and Ohio will be redirected to the following states, according to USDOT:

• California, up to $624 million;
• Florida, up to $342.3 million;
• Washington, up to $161.5 million;
• Illinois, up to $42.3 million;
• New York, up to $7.3 million;
• Maine, up to $3.3 million;
• Massachusetts, up to $2.8 million;
• Vermont,up to $2.7 million;
• Missouri, up to $2.2 million;
• Wisconsin, up to $2 million for the Hiawatha line;
• Oregon, up to $1.6 million;
• North Carolina, up to $1.5 million;
• Iowa, up to $309,080; and
• Indiana, up to $364,980.