Virginia officials aren’t going after a share of the $2.4 billion in federal high-speed rail funds rejected by Florida’s governor.
Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton said officials were simply being realistic – the state would not have been able the qualifications required to obtain the funds anyway, WSLS Roanoke reported.
The Commonwealth would have to build its planned Richmond-Washington high-speed rail project by 2017 to qualify. Officials previously estimated it would take until 2030 to finish.
The funds became available after Florida Gov. Rick Scott canceled a high-speed rail project in his state. Now 24 states, including Maryland, the District and Amtrak are vying for the funds.
