Rail money comes to Florida.

    The last piece of funding for a high-speed train linking Orlando and Tampa came through Thursday, after the White House sent to Florida $342 million from two states that rejected federal rail grants, reports the Orlando Sentinel's Dan Tracy.
    The award means the $2.7 billion project essentially is paid for, with almost 90 percent coming from the federal government and the remainder pledged in installments by the state.
     Eight teams of companies have indicated they would compete to design, build and run the 84-mile system, which would run largely along the median of Interstate 4. Construction could begin in late 2012, with the first trains rolling in 2015.
     The last potential roadblock is Florida's Gov.-elect Rick Scott, who has been noncommittal about the train.
     "I'm pleased that the federal government recognizes that sound infrastructure is key to Florida's economic growth,'' a statement from Scott's transition office said. "I look forward to reviewing the feasibility of this project in terms of return to Florida's taxpayers. I'm also interested in understanding the private sector's interest in funding this infrastructure project."