Easy does it?

Central Florida's long-awaited high-speed rail system may come together in smaller pieces, rather than the expected statewide construction effort, if U.S. Rep. John Mica has his way.

That could mean starting with a route from the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World, bringing tourist dollars with it.

"The high-speed rail system could be a big help to the economy," said Mica, head of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The frequent mouthpiece for rail projects in Central Florida, the Winter Park congressman had helped with the push for the SunRail commuter rail project that would extend from Deland to Orlando. But while that system was embattled due to cost and liability concerns, the high-speed rail system that would link metropolitan areas pressed on.

But that system, which would connect Orlando to Tampa and eventually Orlando to Miami, has hit a familiar snag that many projects in the state have felt holding them back – money.

Despite recent awards of federal funding, Mica said that there's a potential for the projects being held back if matching funds, or even private funds, can't be found.

On Oct. 25, the Obama administration awarded the state with another $800 million in funding for the high-speed rail project. But that would require $200 million in matching funds from the state. Mica had also suggested that some private funding sources could help contribute as much as $500 million for the project.

"I think that's interesting," Winter Park Commissioner Beth Dillaha said. "I think some of the major beneficiaries could contribute toward the high-speed rail cost."

But other factors may have conspired to derail the high-speed rail project to Tampa. Eight days after the October federal funding announcement, voters in counties surrounding Tampa handily rejected ballot initiatives that would have helped start a commuter rail project in the Tampa Bay area.

The next day, in Central Park, Mica said that rather than immediately connecting with Tampa, maybe the high-speed rail system should start with a leg from Orlando International Airport and connect to the Walt Disney World area, ferrying tourists between the two major stops, then possibly expanding in the future.

Earlier this month, Mica told the Associated Press that the route has "a tremendous potential for actually making money."

Speed and convenience would be keys to success he said, as the line would offer a maximum of three stops in the Orlando area, and be capable of traveling up to 170 mph.

Stuck in the middle after the Tampa referendum shot down local light rail is Lakeland. The city, which would also have a stop in an Orlando to Tampa connection, is left waiting.

Coincidentally, State Sen. Paula Dockery, a Lakeland Republican, had campaigned strongly against commuter rail but in favor of the high-speed rail system.

She had campaigned for governor earlier this year, eventually dropping out of the race that was later won by Republican Rick Scott. She's not part of Scott's transition team.

During his campaign, Scott gave rail proponents cause to worry about the future of the rail system, saying he might not accept federal funding if the state had to match any of it. That could cost as much as $2 billion to the state, which U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson pled with Scott on Nov. 8 to not return to the federal government.

Another $270 million in funding is expected from the federal level for high-speed rail next year, which would require another $70 million in state-matching funds. The state is facing a potential $2 billion budget shortfall next year.

Just before the election, Scott campaign spokesman Trey Stapleton released a statement in favor of profitable rail systems:

"…he does believe that before the state should commit to such a financial obligation, both the upfront capital and ongoing operating cost, that the investment must be justified by demonstrating a return on investment to the citizens whose tax money would be used to fund the system."

Despite some misgivings, Mica said he was excited about the changes to come after the Nov. 2 elections, including freeing up even more money for rail, saying he'd push for "more efficient, cost-effective passenger rail transportation, including a better-directed high-speed rail program."