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The day after Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced he would reject federal high-speed funds for the Tampa-Orlando project, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood met with the Florida delegation to “discuss potential paths forward for high-speed rail without the state’s involvement,” according to a U.S. Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

LaHood has given the delegation one week to explore options for salvaging the project, she said.

Options could include giving the federal funds to a private entity such as a regional planning organization or Amtrak to advance the project, according to a Feb. 24 Miami Herald article.

If the Florida project does not advance, the USDOT plans to redistribute the state’s high-speed rail funds as quickly as possible.

— Angela Cotey