Charlie Crist wishes a Merry Christmas with HSR

 

U.S. Rep (Florida) John Mica has stated that the finalists for the HSR stimulus funding has been narrowed down to Chicago, Texas, California and Florida. The announcement is expected to be made in late January or early February of 2010.

Fresh Squeezed Rail in 2012

Big news out of Florida late Tuesday (12/8/09) is the State Legislature's final approval to the SunRail train that will serve Central Florida passengers beginning in 2012.

Thanks to the Tribune for the news.

Florida rising

In the race for a slice of the $8 Billion HSR pie, Florida is doing it's best to get a seat at the table. The Palm Beach Post has a good piece highlighting the benefit of passenger rail for the state as, "The synergy and relationships that can be established between universities and hospitals and biotech clusters are more successful when you don't have one- or two-hour delays."

This comes on the heels of Florida Governor Charlie Crist endorsing State Senate President Jeff Atwater’s proposal to call a special session to fund commuter rail projects.