
There was a time when Florida was trying to develop a
high speed rail project that would link Tampa, Orlando and Miami. Later on governor Rick Scott rejected the funds coming from the federal government because he was concerned with possible extracosts for the taxpayer. I wonder why nobody cared about the money already spent on engineering studies, traffic studies, FDOT work, etc, but anyways there is a new plan for Florida's infrastructure, it's called the
Florida Transportation Vision for the 21st Century.The Plan is pretty much based on creative financing alternatives (according to FDOT's press release), that alternatives to me are already old financing alternatives: tolling and gas tax.
After the success of the I-595 managed lanes project (under development by ACS Infrastructure), FDOT will pursue a Public Private Partnership model in expanding the system along I-75 in Broward County in spring of 2012. According to the press release, "there will be a loop of managed lanes around southeast Florida."
FDOT states that there will be an Industry Forum next year to talk to PPP companies about future plans.
See their
press release for more information. They also talk about regional trains, the opportunity of expanding ports after Panama's Channel expansion and new appointments..