What's New with ConnectUs?

Fla HSR on Fast, Steady Track

Florida high speed rail is proceeding as if it was already riding on slick, steel-wielded rails.andnbsp; 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.andnbsp;andnbsp; Earlier in May, the Federal Rail Administration issued a Record of Decision, the first for a High Speed Rail Express Service in America.andnbsp; It means that Florida can start right of way acquisition, design and engineering of the system.

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.

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.andnbsp; 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.andnbsp;

So What's Next - A Connect Us Special Report

Florida was a huge winner in the HSR sweepstakes, even thoughandnbsp;we only gotandnbsp; halfandnbsp;of what was requested for Tampa-Orlando.andnbsp; Still, the award is sensible as it will cover at least the first two years of work.andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;So what happens next and what does it all mean?andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;Here is our take on things.andnbsp;andnbsp;

High Speed Trains Get Green Light

By: Gannett News Service - Jan 29th, 2010
The USA took a first step toward building a national high-speed-rail network when the Obama administration announced the winners of $8 billion in grants for rail-building projects Thursday.
andldquo;We want to start looking deep into the 21st century,andrdquo; President Obama said at a town-hall-style meeting in Tampa. andldquo;Thereandrsquo;s no reason why other countries can build high-speed-rail lines and we canandrsquo;t.andrdquo; Full Story

"Tomorrow, I'll visit Tampa, Florida, where workers will break ground on a new high-speed railroad."

So said President Obama in his State of the Union speech.andnbsp; We are on the threshold of History.andnbsp; The 19th century was the railroad age.andnbsp; The 20th century was the hgihway age.andnbsp;andnbsp; Tomorrow, in Tampa, Florida, the President and Vice President of the United States will usher in the first leg of America's newandnbsp;transportation system of the 21st century, High Speed rail.andnbsp;andnbsp; Congratulations to the 25,000 Floridians who have joined or become friends of Connect Us and High Speed rail.andnbsp; You helped make this possible.

Hillsborough Transit Referendum Scheduled for Nov 2010

After a four hour public hearing, the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners voted 5-2 to place a one cent sales tax on the November 2010 ballot.andnbsp; The tax would generate approximately 170 million a year in funding.andnbsp; 25% would be allocated to roadways, and the rest to bus and rail transit.andnbsp; Preliminary plans call for about half of the transit funds to go to building a better bus system that would run longer hours, more frequently and cover more area.andnbsp; The other portion would go to start development of two local rail corridors, one from the downtownandnbsp;Tampa High Speed Rail station to USF and the other to Westshore and Tampa International Airport.

All Aboard? Obama to Announce High-Speed Rail Grants

Wall Street Journal
January 27, 2010
By Henry J. Pulizzi

President Barack Obama and other top administration officials plan to take to the road Thursday to announce some $8 billion in grants for high-speed rail infrastructure.

A White House official said Obama will travel to Tampa, Fla., to announce grants to 31 states under the recovery act for state governments to begin developing new high-speed rail corridors or upgrade lines for future high-speed rail or intercity rail service. Thursdayandrsquo;s awards will include projects on 13 major corridors, as well as smaller awards to improve parts of existing lines. FULL TEXT

Obama trip may signal high-speed rail funding

TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: January 23, 2010

TAMPA - The White House was mum on the itinerary of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Tampa or St. Petersburg on Thursday, but high-speed rail advocates are optimistic that the reason is to announce funding for a Tampa-Orlando route. FULL STORY

High Tech Push For High Speed Rail

Supporters of Florida's proposed high-speed rail system unveiled a multimedia plan Tuesday to convince President Barack Obama to pay for the $2.5 billion project.

United front pushes for stimulus money for Florida rail

TAMPA andmdash; Democrats, Republicans, business and labor leaders, and environmentalists came together Tuesday to launch a campaign to bring federal stimulus money to Florida to pay for high-speed rail.

Tell a Friend about High-Speed Rail

Click here to tell someone.

High Speed Rail Conference In Orlando

The United States High Speed Rail Association is hosting its first national conference in Orlando, Florida since the award of $1.25 billion to Florida to build High Speed Rail.andnbsp; The conference is being held at Orlando Hilton, at the future site of the I-Drive High Speed Rail line.

Contact the White House NOW!

Contact the White House NOW! The Obama Administration is deciding now which states will receive a portion of $8 billion in funding set aside for High Speed Rail. The competition is intense. It is time to ask President Obama to provide $2.53 billion for Florida High Speed rail for the jobs it will create today and the better future it will create tomorrow. CLICK HERE FOR CONTACT INFO

Florida, others battle for federal rail grants

MiamiHerald.com
BY LESLEY CLARK 12.12.09
Eight Midwestern states -- including Illinois, home to President Barack Obama and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood -- are bidding for the same federal rail money. California alone is seeking $4.7 billion for a bullet train from Sacramento to San Diego. In all, nearly 40 states and Washington, D.C., have sent in applications for rail money totaling nearly $60 billion -- with only $8 billion to go around. Full Story

Historic Passenger Rail Victory

The Florida Senate and House of Representatives have approved by big bi-partisan majorities Florida's first passenger rail legislation, creating the legal and financial framework for 21st Century rail passenger service.andnbsp; This legislation does not guarantee success, but opens the door for it.andnbsp; The next step is up to Us.andnbsp;andnbsp;.

Florida Rail Vendor Conference Hugh Success

The Florida Department of Transportation hosted a major rail vendor conference in Orlando on Wed. December 2, 2009.andnbsp; Nearly six hundred industry representatives attended to learn more about Florida's High Speed rail application and provide input about how to design a selection process in the event that Florida receives stimulus funding.andnbsp; Here is what we learned about Florida:

Governor Crist Signs Rail Legislation

Governor Charlie Crist travelled the state of Florida on December 16, 2009 and had ceremonial signing ceremonies of Florida's historic passenger rail legislation in four separate cities.andnbsp; Gov. Crist was joined by state legislators and commuter rail authority members at these events.

My Word: Time to get rail on track (Opinion)

By George LeMieux - Orlando Sentinel
November 12, 2009
For too long, Florida has put off investing in commuter rail and all of us are paying the price. Florida's long stretches of highway combined with increasing traffic congestion have made traveling between major cities difficult and time consuming. This constricts our productivity and the state's overall economy. Just building more roads is not a solution; we need high-speed and commuter rail. The good news is that right now, Florida has an historic opportunity to develop its passenger rail system, and all that's needed is a commitment from our State Legislature. Full Op-ed

Rail Job Creation 101

FDOT's newest projections indicate that the Tampa-Orlando line alone will generate over 1000 planning, design and engineering jobs and over 23,000 jobs!andnbsp; These will be American jobs and good paying jobs.

It's All About Speed

We have the best High Speed program in the nation, but politics are now threatening our future and tens of thousands of jobs. There is talk of a special legislative session in 30 days that might determine whether we win or lose. Please help us get our spot on the air.

Now Get Text Updates

You can now stay updated with your mobile device.andnbsp; Just follow this link to sign up.

We Want Your Slogan

We need your ideas for our I-4 billboards.

Sun Sentinel: Atwater calls for special session on Tri-Rail, SunRail

Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater today pushed for a special legislative session this year to fund Tri-Rail and SunRail and to clear a path for federal high-speed railroad dollars.

What would life be like at 128mph?

Over two-dozen U.S. regions are being considered to receive funding appropriated for High-Speed Rail. Florida is considered a top contender. You can help us WIN by learning, sharing and then staying tuned to take action when the time is right.

Orlando Sentinel: Disney gets on board with fast-train proposal

Florida has received a last-minute boost from Walt Disney World in its bid for $2.5 billion of federal money to build a high-speed train linking Orlando and Tampa. Walt Disney World offers up to 50 acres for station, backs Orange convention-center stop

Why Florida is the Best State to Start the U.S. High-Speed Rail Program

From job creation and economic development to construction costs and being andquot;shovel-readyandquot;, here's why Florida needs to be the first state to receive funding set aside by the President to build a High-Speed Rail system in the U.S.

Governor Crist and Cabinet Endorse HSR

Governor Crist and the Florida Cabinet unanimously Endorsed Florida's bid for $2.6 billion in federal funds for High Speed and intercity rail.

Tampa Tribune: Make a smart bet on a fast train

A special December session of the Legislature is being pushed by Gov. Charlie Crist and Senate President Jeff Atwater to show the Obama administration that Florida is serious about supporting rail transit.

Tampa Tribune: High hopes for high-speed rail

As key political factors fall in place, Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando are leading contenders to launch the nation's first true high-speed rail corridor, with 150 mph trains running by 2014.

Florida Submits Application, Disney Gives it a Boost

Over two-dozen U.S. regions are being considered to receive funding appropriated for High-Speed Rail development. Florida is the most andquot;shovel-readyandquot; and could create jobs faster than any other contender. Read the Governor's letter and view press reports, here.

[VIDEO] FL Sen. Jeff Atwater: "Let's Seize the Opportunity..."

Hear Atwater tout Job Creation, Economic Development, Tourism, Managed Growth as reasons for High-Speed Rail in Florida. Watch it here.

10 CONNECTS: High speed rail could connect Tampa and Orlando by 2014

Former Hillsborough Commissioner Ed Turanchik is heading up the effort to get $2.5 billion for the project, which would connect Tampa to Orlando as the first part of the system.

[video] Everything You need to Know about Florida and High-Speed Rail

FLORIDA LEADERS DECLARE SUPPORT FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL

Tampa, Fla. andndash; In a demonstration of statewide collaboration today, federal, state and local elected officials joined business organizations from Miami, Orlando and Tampa at three regional events to announce their support of Floridaandrsquo;s application for federal funding for High-Speed rail.

Florida leaders, community organizers to launch campaign

With the deadline looming to apply for federal stimulus money to build a high-speed rail line, lawmakers, business leaders and community organizers will launch a campaign today to win funding for the project.

Connect US

Connect Us is rallying Floridians to support Floridaandrsquo;s bid to build Americaandrsquo;s first true High Speed Rail system. Join us today to help Florida get connected.

The Ledger: High-Speed Rail Meetings Set

Lakeland is the site of one of three meetings that will be held this week by the Florida Department of Transportation on the environmental impact of the Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail project. View a List of All Meetings

NPR: States Make Pitches For High-Speed-Rail Money

Listen to the report

Wall Street Journal: States Seek Slice of Rail Funding

States applied for billions of dollars for passenger-rail projects Monday, marking the start of a stimulus program designed to kick-start high-speed rail service in the U.S. Read it here.

High-Speed Rail: Pick Up the Pace

Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Ed Turanchik came to Lakeland on Tuesday as part of a andquot;Connect Usandquot; contingency supporting high-speed rail for Central Florida. andquot;This is all about showing the president of the United States that this is important to Florida when he begins to make his decision on who gets the high-speed-rail stimulus money,andquot; he said.

California, Florida Top List to Secure High Speed Funds

WALL STREET JOURNAL - May 8, 2009 - WASHINGTON --- Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood singled out California and Florida as leading candidates to secure federal funding for high-speed passenger-rail service.

St. Pete Times: High-speed rail supporters kick off campaign to get federal funds

A statewide organization launched a campaign Tuesday to win $2.53 billion in federal economic stimulus money for a high-speed rail line connecting Tampa and Orlando. Plans call for the line to eventually reach Miami. Full Article.

Sentinel: Florida Makes Pitch for Federal Money for High Speed Train

It was billed as a workshop to answer questions about the Obama administration's plans to build a high speed rail network across the county...

Connect US Coalition Supports Florida's Bid for $30 Million for Orlando-Miami High Speed Rail Plan