ConnectUs: Supporting High Speed Rail in Florida

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Fla HSR on Fast, Steady Track
Florida high speed rail is proceeding as if it was already riding on slick, steel-wielded rails. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced on May 27, 2010 that Florida was awarded $66.7 million out of $80 million being released of ARRA funds to start construction on Tampa-Orlando. Earlier in May, the Federal Rail Administration issued a Record of Decision, the first for a High Speed Rail Express Service in America. It means that Florida can start right of way acquisition, design and engineering of the system.
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Construction of HSR Could Begin By February 2011

LAKELAND - Construction could begin by February or March for the high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando, with the first trains running by the first or second quarter of 2015, a Florida Department of Transportation official said Wednesday during a regional briefing.

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First Regional Rail Summit Big Hit
The first Super Regional Rail Summit convened by Mayors Dyer, Fields and Iorio and hosted by CONNECT US, the Central Florida Partnership and Tampa Bay Partnership was a huge success. Business, labor, environmental and civic leaders saw the first Super Regional Rail Map laying out the vision of how light rail, commuter rail and bus will all connect.
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So What's Next - A Connect Us Special Report
Florida was a huge winner in the HSR sweepstakes, even though we only got half of what was requested for Tampa-Orlando. Still, the award is sensible as it will cover at least the first two years of work. So what happens next and what does it all mean? Here is our take on things.
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