WASHINGTON — Federal Railroad Administrator Allan Rutter today announced a $3,000,000 grant to the Florida High-Speed Rail Authority for the preparation of studies required to develop an environmental impact statement and competitive procurement statements.
“I am very pleased to announce this funding and am confident that it will aid in advancing high-speed rail development in Florida,” said Rutter. “The efforts to date in Florida exemplify the type of public-private partnership needed to address the nation’s long-term transportation needs.”
The grant award to the Florida High-Speed Rail Authority (FHSRA) is governed by a cooperative agreement and will cover the costs of contract work on requisite planning, engineering and environmental studies. Currently, the FHSRA is preparing a study on a portion of the proposed high-speed rail system from Orlando to Miami. This includes an examination of route alignments, operating speeds, capital costs, and ridership projections for Phase I of the project from Tampa to Orlando.
Mobility linking key urban areas is vital to American society. A number of state Departments of Transportation are implementing or considering implementing high-speed ground transportation systems on existing or new rights-of-way as a viable alternative to increased highway and airport congestion. The Federal Railroad Administration conducts varied programs and initiatives intended to address future transportation challenges. Among them, the Next Generation High-Speed Rail Program is based on partnerships with suppliers of technology, railroads, and State governments. The program supports the development and implementation of safe, cost-effective high-speed rail technology on existing infrastructure.