If the Tampa-Orlando section can be ready by 2012, it could be a selling point for Tampa Bay in its bid to host the Summer Olympics that year. Building on the I-4 right of way first also would delay facing the environmental blocks the FOX plan hit in the southern part of the state. One of Gov. Bush's appointees is supposed to have expertise about environmental issues. But in a state of strip malls and office parks, there will be few destinations passengers can walk to near the stations. Making the trains work will require better local bus service.
Lawmakers never spend much on that, and voters never demand more.
The new High Speed Rail Authority is charged with estimating costs. The authority could determine that Florida can't afford the system, but the Legislature would have to ask voters to change their minds and the constitution. A 120-mph run from Orlando to the Olympics may happen yet. But after that, don't make any reservations. All rights reserved.