The US Department of Transportation has announced a $2.4bn fund for 54 high-speed rail projects in 23 states.
The Department's Federal Railroad Administration said it had received 132 applications from 32 states seeking $8.8bn, more than three times the $2.4bn appropriated.
More than 30 rail manufacturers and suppliers, domestic and foreign, have agreed to establish or expand their bases of operations in the US if they are hired to build the country's next generation of high-speed lines.
Some of the awards include $901m to California, including $715m for the construction of high-speed lines in the Central Valley, and $800m to Florida for the Tampa to Orlando high-speed rail corridor.
Florida's long-term vision is for a high-speed rail line that connects Tampa, Orlando, Miami and other communities.
Iowa received $230m to create a intercity passenger rail service between Iowa City and Chicago through the Quad cities, while Michigan received $161m for a high-speed rail corridor connecting Detroit and Chicago.
The announcement follows the allocation of $8bn in additional funding from the Recovery Act for high-speed rail projects earlier in this year.
