Rail Opportunity? Wake Up Florida

[Metro Jacksonville]

Rail Opportunity? Wake Up Florida



A high speed rail project dies, potentially freeing up millions to be reallocated to other transportation projects. Will Jacksonville and Florida take advantage?

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-nov-rail-opportunity-wake-up-florida

[tufsu1]

I think the Wisconsin project will live...the one that is apparently "definitely dead" is the 3C project connecting Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinatti.

Here's another potential revenue source:

The Gov. of New Jersey did a reversal again and has now killed the ARC tunnel (he says the decision is final)....that frees up $3 billion in Federal money....and oh yeah, they have to pay the Fed back $350 million they've already spent on planning, design, etc..

[Garden guy]

I wonder if any of you people out there in lala land know and remember that it is the conservative rightwing republicans who ended this for out city...thanks alot guys...you got what you want.

[tufsu1]

I wonder if any of you people out there in lala land know and remember that it is the conservative rightwing republicans who ended this for out city...thanks alot guys...you got what you want.

what exactly in Jax did they end?

[JeffreyS]

Well I guess the "fiscally conservative" Republicans are "saving" money the same old way ignore America, Americans and the silly old infrastructure.  Nothing investing in a new intercontinental stealth bomber can't sooth.

[cephus]

If you want to insult the majority of the Duval County electorate with comments like the ones above, it's going to be really difficult to build local support for rail.  You might want to work on common ground instead of writing off people whose support and assistance you're going to need if public transit of any kind is going to be accomplished.

[tufsu1]

Asked Tuesday what he is thinking currently about Florida's rail projects – and about two other Republican governors' recent decisions to turn away federal funds for such projects – Scott said, "I want to look at the final feasibility study and make sure that there's return for the taxpayers of this state. And so, I'll review it when we get to see the final numbers."

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/nov/10/iorio-high-speed-rail-complex-could-help-revitaliz/news-politics/

[FayeforCure]

Well I guess the "fiscally conservative" Republicans are "saving" money the same old way ignore America, Americans and the silly old infrastructure.  Nothing investing in a new intercontinental stealth bomber can't sooth.

Agreed Jeffrey S, apparently these fiscally conservative Republicans had no problem with Rick Scott running a company that ripped off the tax-payer as in Medicare.

Pleading "I didn't know" says volumes about his leadership ability.

Now he wants a return for tax-payers with HSR?

Maybe he should start by paying back most of his ill-gotten gains from his company ripping off Medicare rather than spending OUR $80 million in ill-gotten tax-payer monies in a so-called self-financed campaign.

[jaxlore]

You know I understand that a lot of people are not happy with the way these elections went, including myself, but instead of grinding the axe, speak out to your elected officials and let them know where the direction of the state and city should be going. Saying that they are losers and criminals probably wont get us anywhere.

[BridgeTroll]

No doubt.  The reality is... this election was one the dems EASILY could have won... had they, themselves... shown up to vote.  Democrat apathy is more to blame than anything else...

[Lunican]

Florida should follow the California model and partner with Amtrak to create a statewide rail system with frequent service.

[JeffreyS]

No doubt.  The reality is... this election was one the dems EASILY could have won... had they, themselves... shown up to vote.  Democrat apathy is more to blame than anything else...

You are so right.  I have to cop to this a bit.  Yes I voted but last election I made phone calls and personal efforts for my candidates. This timeother than on this site and in the booth didn't do anything.

[JeffreyS]

Well I guess the "fiscally conservative" Republicans are "saving" money the same old way ignore America, Americans and the silly old infrastructure.  Nothing investing in a new intercontinental stealth bomber can't sooth.

If you want to insult the majority of the Duval County electorate with comments like the ones above, it's going to be really difficult to build local support for rail.  You might want to work on common ground instead of writing off people whose support and assistance you're going to need if public transit of any kind is going to be accomplished.

Do you really think my comments are so harsh.  I am in favor of finding common ground but I will speak plainly. I believe the biggest hurdle to building local support for transit is the well established pattern of Republicans bashing transit. 

So  can we find somme common ground that it isn't just the fare box that justifies fixxed rail transit?

[Jaxson]

Jeffrey S. was actually being nice when he posted about American attitudes toward mass transit.  We talk a good game about solving our traffic woes, but we consistently build more roads and highways.  Where has our creativity gone?  Of course, there are exceptions in many cities that have seen the light, but our love affair with the automobile lingers on here in Gate-ville...er...Jacksonville.  LOL

[Ocklawaha]

Lunican is right, we need the California model FIRST, they have grown their way into HSR with HrSR. 16 trains daily between Los Angeles and San Diego... THINK Jacksonville-Tampa. But our misguided leaders have decided to skip learning to walk first, we're just going to run at it and fly... F L O P !

OCKLAWAHA