TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Rick Scott canceled plans for a high-speed train line between Orlando and Tampa promoted by President Barack Obama, saying Wednesday that it would cost the state too much even with $2.4 billion in federal help.
Cost overruns could put Florida on the hook for another $3 billion, and there’s a good chance ridership won’t pay for the operating cost, meaning the state would have to pump more money into the line each year, the new Republican governor said after informing U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood of his decision.
LaHood later released a statement contradicting Scott’s assessment of the risk.
“We worked with the governor to make sure we eliminated all financial risk for the state, instead requiring private businesses competing for the project to assume cost overruns and operating expenses,” he said. LaHood said he was disappointed but said other states would be happy to get Florida’s money.
High-speed rail is one of Obama’s priorities, and his latest budget proposal calls for $53 billion over the next six years for projects across the country. The Associated Press
