WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration says it's taking back the $2.4 billion allocated to Florida for high-speed trains and is inviting other states to apply for the money.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement Friday that he will make the funds available through competitive bidding to states eager to develop high-speed rail corridors.
The Florida project would have connected Tampa and Orlando with high-speed trains. But Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, said he didn't want to obligate the state to pay for what could be expensive operating costs for the line.
LaHood's actions appeared to put an end to the on-again, off-again negotiations between Walker and supporters of the project trying to find a formula to keep it alive.