(The following story appeared on The Miami Herald website on August 6, 2010.)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida is seeking $1.1 billion from the federal government to complete a high speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando.
President Barack Obama in January announced Florida would get $1.25 billion in stimulus money for the $2.6 billion project.
If the application submitted Friday is approved, it would bring the federal share to $2.35 billion. The state would cover the rest.
Trains are expected to begin operating at speeds up to 168 miles per hour by 2015. Plans call for eventually adding a Miami-Orlando leg.
The state also is seeking $250 million in federal funding to increase conventional Amtrak passenger service by introducing two daily round trips between Jacksonville and Miami.