FLORIDA HSR is DEAD

All,


Heres tonights link from the orlando sentinel reporting that Florida HSR is DEAD.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/os-high-speed-rail-ruling-20110304,0,5687876.story


Court, LaHood shoot down high-speed rail project

By Dan Tracy, Orlando Sentinel

5:17 PM EST, March 4, 2011

[...]

But U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., threw out what he called a "Hail Mary pass" later Friday by asking LaHood to reopen the bidding process for high-speed money to allow four cities in Florida – Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Lakeland – to seek the funds without Scott's involvement.
That proposal still would require Scott to allow the use of state land and the Florida Department of Transportation to supervise the work. And Scott has already said no to a similar plan. LaHood's office declined comment.


Scott's office would not specifically discuss Nelson's proposition, but issued a statement saying he was "gratified that the court provided a clear and unanimous decision, [and] he is now focused on moving forward with infrastructure projects that create long-term jobs and turn Florida's economy around."
[...]


A screen shot from the Florida HSR web page.

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Ca/Nv Maglev News

NEW! ARTIC One Sheeter released.

All,

ARTIC has posted a new FACT sheet for its "Next Steps."  It also has the new renderings (and a new one) that were released a few weeks ago.

(full size)

http://www.articinfo.com/PDF/ARTIC_factsheet%20022811_FINAL.pdf

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NEW! ARTIC information one-sheeter released

All,
ARTIC has posted a new FACT sheet for its "Next Steps."  It also has the new renderings (and a new one) that were released a few weeks ago.


(full size)
http://www.articinfo.com/PDF/ARTIC_factsheet%20022811_FINAL.pdf

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CA/NV Maglev News

Nevada NDOT's State Rail Plan... Citizens voice strong Southern NV/CA route.

All,

The Las Vegas Sun reported that NDOT is taking its first steps into building a state rail program that will make Nevada eligible for FRA future funds.  However, during the public sessions (that took place in Las Vegas), and then moved to Sparks and Elko.  

The meeting took a switch track when the public started asking questions about the DesertXpress and Maglev projects..

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/mar/01/development-state-rail-plan-moves-forward-public-m/

By Richard N. Velotta (contact)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 | 1:50 a.m
[...]
While rail plan project manager Matthew Furedy and representatives of Jacobs Engineering, consultants for the plan, were looking for ideas to improve rail service in the state, it was clear from the tone of questions and comments at the session that the most important priority for the southern end of the state is passenger transportation between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

NDOT and Jacobs officials deflected questions about the privately developed DesertXpress high-speed rail proposal that would link Las Vegas with Victorville, Calif., or about whether the state would continue to back the California-Nevada Superspeed Train Commission’s vision of developing a magnetic levitation system between Las Vegas and Southern California.

Last month, developers of the DesertXpress confirmed that it has applied for $4.9 billion in federal loans to build that system. The American Magline Group, which has contracted with the two-state commission and was backed by former Gov. Jim Gibbons, is awaiting a decision of record from the Federal Railroad Administration and the release of $45 million to begin the necessary environmental studies to build a maglev line between Las Vegas and Primm.

“We’re not here to debate which is the better technology,” Furedy said. “We’re early in the process and we’re just trying to determine if there is a need to go from Point A to Point B.”
[...]


You can find the NDOT invitation to the public information sessions here.
http://www.nevadadot.com/uploadedFiles/NDOT/Public_Involvement/Meetings/SRPRENO.pdf


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Ca/Nv Maglev News

Florida Gov. Sued over Canceling HSR Plans

All,
The Orlando Sentinel is reporting today that Gov. Scott has been sued by state lawmakers to force the State and the Gov. to use $2.4B that was awarded for HSR.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-high-speed-rail-lawsuit-20110301,0,1435007.story
By Dan Tracy and Aaron Deslatte, Orlando Sentinel

6:40 p.m. EST, March 1, 2011

[...]

Scott opposes the train because he contends it could run up billions of dollars in cost overruns, making it too risky for taxpayers who could be forced to pick up the tab.

"My position remains unchanged," Scott said late Tuesday in a statement. "I've yet to see any evidence that Florida taxpayers would not be on the hook. Senators Altman and Joyner's disrespect for taxpayers is clear by their lawsuit trying to force the state to spend this money."

The Supreme Court appeared ready to act quickly, setting a noon deadline today for Scott to respond. Scott promised his team would do so.

The suit seeks, at a minimum, a temporary injunction against Scott for refusing the train money. That's because U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has set a Friday deadline for sending the grant to other states seeking high-speed funding.
[...]

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Ca/Nv Maglev News

Florida HSR gets a extra week to decide fate

All,
orlandosentinel.com/news/local/os-high-speed-rail-what-now-20110225,0,7534383.story

OrlandoSentinel.com

LaHood gives Florida another week for high-speed rail

By Dan Tracy and Mark K. Matthews, Orlando Sentinel
5:19 PM EST, February 25, 2011
[...]
The high-speed train between Orlando and Tampa got an unexpected one-week reprieve Friday, just hours after Gov. Rick Scott again rejected $2.4 billion in federal money for the project.
The sudden shift may have been triggered by a possible lawsuit against Scott contending he has overstepped his authority by killing the train. The suit, which could be filed as soon as Monday, is expected to argue that a law passed by the Legislature during a special session in 2009 compels Scott to pursue the train.
Two sources close to the situation said the suit likely would be filed with the state Supreme Court in Tallahassee. It was unclear who would sign on to it.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., first approached U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about an extension Thursday. An aide to Nelson said the senator was acting on behalf of "a member of the Legislature who is part of a group that is considering suing the governor."
In Washington, LaHood said in a statement Friday that he had "decided to give Gov. Scott additional time to review the agreement crafted by local officials from Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland and Miami, and to consult with his staff at the state Department of Transportation."
[...]
We encourage you to further research this story by going directly to the Orlando Sentinel website.
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Ca/Nv Maglev News

ARTIC updates FB page Station Renderings

All,
We noticed on the ARTIC Facebook page (and not the main website) has been updated with additional renderings of the station.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ARTIC/116651157092

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Ca/Nv Maglev News