Stimulus rail loads slow coming

[JeffreyS]

Stimulus rail loads slow coming
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/trade_trucks_trains/2009/11/stimulus_rail_loads_slow_coming.html?surround=lfn

Ready for a shocker? The federal stimulus package is disappointing some businesses.

The federal stimulus package has failed to deliver the rail shipments of construction materials, rail sources told the Journal of Commerce. Material suppliers say that stringent reporting conditions are slowing down road repairs and other transportation projects, JOC writer John Boyd reported.

"Many projects that have been considered 'shovel-ready' may not make it through the new requirements until late 2010 or 2011," one source told JOC.

Although about $5.6 billion has been paid to contractors after work has been completed, $40 billion worth of contracts remain. The Department of Transportation has also delayed award $8 billion for high-speed and passenger rail systems and $1.5 billion for special transportation projects, according to the JOC.

It's not just the transportation and construction industry that is waiting for stimulus funding to be spent. Less than 6 percent of the $6.8 billion awarded to Florida through the federal stimulus package had been spent as of Sept. 30, according to federal statistics.

[CS Foltz]

Any takers on wether or not we even get some of the "Fed Transportation Money"?

[mtraininjax]

We'll get our share, we will overpay for the CSX lines from Tampa to Orlando, but in the end, it will be worth it to get our share of the funds.

[thelakelander]

My guess is out of these funds, we'll directly benefit from the Amtrak/FEC project.

[CS Foltz]

lake I sure as heck hope so! Nice to know that there are three rail possiblities starting to gear up Orlando way while Jacksonville gets a Amtrak passing through twice a day? But hay............someday we might get something going on......someday!