Fla. high-speed rail plan gets another reprieve

February 25, 2011 at 3:33p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A proposed high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando in Florida has gotten another reprieve.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has given Florida Gov. Rick Scott another week to reconsider his decision to turn down $2.4 billion in federal money for the project after the two met today in Washington, D.C.

LaHood said he gave Scott additional time after the governor asked for more information about a revised plan.

Scott refused the original federal offer because he was afraid the state would be stuck with billions in unexpected costs.

The governor also rejected the revised plan for absolving the state of financial or legal obligation by turning the project over to local governments, but now he’ll take another look.