Nixon Wants Florida's Sloppy Seconds

Kansas City Here I Come?

​The Cardinals are scheduled to square off against the Royals in an interleague series beginning May 2 in Kansas City. Warning to all fans traveling by train: The tracks ain't exactly in perfect shape, and the schedule isn't always reliable.

At least that's what Gov. Jay Nixon is saying now that he's decided to apply for nearly $1 billion in federal railroad funds that became available after being declined by Florida Governor Rick Scott. Nixon made the announcement this morning in Kirkwood.

In a press release sent out today, Nixon said he'd like to see upgrades to the existing tracks between Kansas City and St. Louis, to include new sidings, mainlines and bridges, along with the removal of grade crossings. If Missouri lands the money, said Nixon, the trains between the two cities would run faster, with fewer scheduling screw-ups.

Should he win the money, Nixon would put about $600 million toward another set of tracks between the two cities, dedicated exclusively to high-speed rail. Nixon said the immediate upgrades would create more than 1,300 jobs in Missouri.

"The design, planning and construction of this project would create high-paying jobs in communities across Missouri over the next several years, and provide the necessary resources to prepare for construction of a dedicated high-speed passenger line," said Nixon in the press release.

The state has been working in conjunction with Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois on high-speed rails between St. Louis and Chicago. Nixon has been more enthusiastic about the projects than his soon-to-be election opponent, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, who has recently railed against, well, rails.