FRA 04-02
Contact: Warren Flatau
Friday, May
24, 2002
Tel:(202) 493-6024
Federal Railroad Administrator Announces
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.