Congress has approved spending over $15 billion on high speed and intercity passenger rail service in the next five years, marking the most significant investment in passenger rail in over 75 years. Over 278 pre-applications were received from 40 states seeking nearly $100 billion in funding. However, Florida has a lot going for it and is considered one of the top contenders to receive funding.  Here's a few reasons why...

The Tampa-Orlando-Miami High Speed rail corridor would serve about 67% of all Floridians.

The proposed Jacksonville-Miami intercity rail program would connect three-fourths of Florida’s population.

Economic impact studies indicate that the Tampa-Orlando-Miami High-Speed rail project will create up to 50,000 new jobs.

The Tampa-Orlando line would create the 15th biggest super-region in the world according to gross domestic product metrics.

High Speed rail will provide tourists with better access to explore more of Florida rather than being confined to specific regions.

The Tampa-Orlando phase would be built down the median of I-4, which was built for and is “shovel-ready” for High-Speed Rail.

Since Tampa-Orlando is the most “shovel-ready” project in the U.S., it would create new jobs faster than any project in the nation.

The Tampa-Orlando-Miami system is true high speed with maximum speeds up to 180 mph.

The Tampa-Orlando line can be built at half of the estimated per mile cost of the California system and well below the projected national average for High Speed rail construction.

Strong public and private transit services exist to support disembarking from High speed rail stations in downtown Tampa, Walt Disney World, International Drive and Orlando International Airport.

SAFETY! According to the FL Dept. of Transportation, I-4 averages 3,527 motor vehicle accidents a year with 32 fatalities. That’s about 10 accidents a day.

High-Speed Rail will support and catalyze the development of light and commuter rail systems in use or being planned for across the state.

The Tampa-Orlando system will reduce approximately 94,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Located in one of the most popular tourist destinations in America, the Tampa-Orlando line is a perfect spot to demonstrate the technology to a huge numbers of American families.

The Florida High Speed rail project has strong bi-partisan support among businesses, chambers of commerce, labor unions, growth management and environmental groups and Florida citizens like you.

With the Tampa-Orlando alignment set, there will be no arguments or environmental challengers to the route or about the impacts that could delay construction.

As a relaxing, easy, comfortable, affordable and congestion-free option for intercity travel, High-Speed Rail will improve our quality of life.

High-Speed Rail will encourage urban-centric managed growth over suburban sprawl across Florida.

Florida’s construction of America’s first true High Speed rail system will create a new foundation for the development of emerging and high technology industries.

As America’s first true High Speed rail system, Florida will be better positioned as a global import/export hub.