Federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said his agency will send nearly $67 million to the state Department of Transportation, which is charged with building the $2.6 billion system.

The money will be spent on design, public information, updating ridership studies, buying land and station design.

In January, President Obama promised the state $1.25 billion for the train, and the money released Thursday comes from that pledge.

State officials consider the $1.25 billion to be a down payment on the project and federal officials have indicated more tax dollars will be sent to FDOT as the venture continues. It is supposed to be up and running in 2015.