Amtrak, 24 states, and the District of Columbia submitted nearly 100 applications for the $2 billion in rail funds made available when Florida gave back federal grants that had been allocated to a rail project there. Florida actually gave up $2.4 billion, but Congress recently rescinded $400 million, meaning USDOT was not allowed to redistribute those grants to other projects.

"These projects will put thousands of Americans to work, save hundreds of thousands of hours for American travelers every year, and boost U.S. manufacturing by investing hundreds of millions of dollars in next-generation, American-made locomotives and railcars," Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said: "The investments we're making today will help states across the country create jobs, spur economic development and boost manufacturing in their communities."

AASHTO Vice President Kirk Steudle, Michigan's transportation director, said investments in transportation infrastructure grow the economy by creating jobs in the short and long term. Michigan was one of the states to receive rail funding Monday.

"Improving rail travel between Detroit and Chicago will spur economic development and enhance the quality of life in the communities along the corridor and ease congestion on I-94, one of the nation's busiest truck routes," Steudle said.

USDOT selected 15 states and Amtrak to receive $2 billion for 22 high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects as part of a nationwide network the administration envisions connecting 80% of Americans to high-speed rail in 25 years.

Amtrak received $450 million in funding to upgrade its rail infrastructure to support more frequent and faster high-speed rail service, and to improve reliability of current service between New York and Washington.

"With this investment by the Obama administration, the Amtrak vision for high-speed rail in the Northeast is now departing the station and heading down the tracks to help take America to the next generation of passenger service," Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman said in a statement.

Amtrak's money will go toward improvements that are an important first step in support of the Gateway Project, which will construct new tunnels to access an expanded New York Penn Station, enhance regional economic development and job creation, and lay the foundation for the future launch of 220 mph next-generation high-speed service.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Florida, criticized the administration for scattering funds to numerous slower-speed rail projects.

"Only two months ago, the administration finally designated the Northeast Corridor as a high-speed-rail corridor," Mica said in a statement. "We need a comprehensive, responsible plan for the Northeast Corridor, and Amtrak - our nation's Soviet-style passenger rail service - is incapable of carrying out a project of this scope and significance. We need to bring in the private sector to finance, design, build, operate, and maintain true high-speed service in the Northeast Corridor if we are going to have any chance of success."

A list of all grant recipients is available from USDOT at 1.usa.gov/USDOT050911.