Rep. Mica Will Examine High Speed Rail Priorities
Thursday, November 4, 2010
By: Tom Parkinson

November 04, 2010 | WMFE - The central Florida lawmaker in line to head the House Transportation Committee says he wants to take a fresh look at the government's priorities for funding high-speed rail projects. That could mean trouble for the planned train connecting Orlando and Tampa.

With Republicans taking control the US House, Congressman John Mica of Winter Park is expected to take over as chairman of the Transportation Committee.
Mica says he believes high-speed rail is a good idea, but he doesn't agree with all the projects selected for funding.

Mica says the Northeast is probably the only region in the country with enough population density to support a high-speed rail network. He says he wants to focus on projects with the best chances for success.

In January, the US Transportation Department distributed $10 billion dollars in grants for high-speed rail projects. Florida received $1.25 billion to start building a high speed line between Orlando and Tampa.

Mica suggested scaling back central Florida’s planned line to a smaller system that would run between Orlando International Airport and the area theme parks.