The group of local governments had been exploring possible public-private partnerships that would have allowed construction of the Orlando to Tampa line to begin this year under the same terms as the deal that was rejected by Governor Rick Scott: zero cost and zero risk to taxpayers.
In order to move forward right now, the newly-created entity would still need to work with the state of Florida to secure the right-of-way for the train, a level of cooperation which Governor Scott has signaled would not occur.
Upon making this determination, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields and Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado released the following joint statement:
“This is a disappointing day for the residents of our state who desperately need jobs and now face a future of increasingly gridlocked roads and the potential for five and six dollar a gallon gasoline. Our opportunity to be the epicenter of America’s rail renaissance and our shared vision for a recession-busting, job creating rail network is gone, for now.
“While the immediate path to the start of Florida’s high speed rail network has been blocked, we remain committed to finding a way to ensure Florida does not get left behind when the rest of the United States moves forward with the creation of a high speed rail network. We are hopeful that, given more time, a way can be found for Florida to apply for high speed rail dollars in the next funding cycle.”