A Bush helps a project fail -- this time it's not for science class
As much as I'd like to stick it to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, I'm not entirely convinced the constitutionally-mandated Florida high speed rail is such a good idea.
On one hand, the voters approved it, so if they don't use it, it's their fault. Also, I've driven Florida from end-to-end on I-95, and the trip is neither interesting nor reasonable in length. Had an affordable and convenient rail option been available, I would have ditched the car in Jacksonville in a heartbeat.
On the other hand, I have serious doubts as to whether people will use it and if Gov. Bush wants to get an initiative on the ballot to stop the project just four years after it was first okayed by voters, I wouldn't be surprised if he spends a great deal of time and effort to stymie the project, making it less useful for Floridians and scaring off other states thinking about high-speed rail. Better not done at all than done wrong, I'd say.
Contractors said the state would make money, but I don't know if I believe it, given the fact that a state legislator actually had to request the double-tracking of the initial Orlando-Tampa segment. Single-track high speed rail? Are they serious?
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rj3 | 9:51 AM |
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