Florida selects partnership for high-speed rail project

The Florida High Speed Rail Authority has selected a partnership between Fluor Corp. and Bombardier Transportation to build and provide the equipment for a proposed bullet train across central Florida.

The authority voted 6-2 in favor of the bid by Bombardier, builder of the Northeast corridor's Acela high-speed train, and Fluor, an engineering and construction company.

The state predicts the railway, which will link Tampa and Orlando, could cost $2.5 billion and will be up and running by 2009. However, the high-speed rail proposal has been criticized by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and many legislators since it was approved by voters in 2000.

The next step for Bombardier and Fluor, which are equal partners in the project, is to begin negotiations to conclude the contract.