May 20, 2011

Northeast gets Florida rail money


The US Department of Transportation this week redistributed $2 billion in high-speed intercity rail funding, after Florida turned it down.
In February, Florida Governor Rick Scott rejected $2.4 billion in federal funding that would have helped pay for a high-speed intercity rail project in his state. On Monday, US secretary of transportation Ray LaHood redistributed the money between 15 states and Amtrak in a move intended to help pay for 22 high-speed intercity passenger rail projects. 
Investment areas included $450m to modernise track infrastructure in the Northeast corridor, creating a 24-mile segment of track capable of supporting trains at speeds of up to 160mph. In addition, $295m will help to alleviate delays for trains coming in and out of Manhattan.

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