Governor Scott Announces High-Speed Rail Linking Tampa and Orlando

Florida Governor Rick Scott made an announcement that involves the future of public transportation, and taxpayers will be happy to hear that their money will not be touched.

Florida officials are considering private bids to revive a dormant project that will link Orlando and Tampa. Brightline, a a high-speed railroad that links Miami and West Palm Beach, has just put in a bid to build a track along Interstate 4.

Patrick Goddard, President and COO of Brightline, released a statement explaining that "As one of the nation's fastest growing regions, Tampa Bay is a natural extension for Brightline. We are currently engaged in the (bidding) process, which is the first step needed to extend the system to the Tampa Bay region."

Governor Rick Scott shot down a similar proposal to the project seven years ago precisely because it would involve taxpayer dollars.

In a statement responding to the matter, Governor Rick Scott noted that "This is an exciting opportunity for Orlando, Tampa and our entire state. Instead of placing taxpayers on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars, our goal is for the private sector to invest in this project."

Although no additional information has been provided like how many stops it would have and where the rail would go, it's still a good update on the expansions that are coming to Florida.