(CNN) -- Rail riders along the California coast and the Boston-Washington "Northeast Corridor" are set to reap much of the benefits from $2 billion that Florida policymakers had earlier rejected for high-speed rail development. The Obama administration on Monday announced the reallocated funding, part of its push to spur environmentally friendly transportation and modernize the nation's infrastructure that's supported partly by the 2009 economic stimulus package. Fifteen states and Amtrak will receive the money to back 22 high-speed intercity passenger rail projects. Among other things, the funds will be used to improve speed and service in the Northeast, add faster rail lines in the Midwest and help spur more efficient train service between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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NEW: Obama administration gives out $2 billion for high-speed rail projects
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NEW: This comes after Florida authorities reject $2 billion for an Orlando-to-Tampa line
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Obama wants 80% of Americans to have access to high-speed rail within 25 years
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Critics contend the project is wasteful and will do little to boost economic competitiveness
@placeholder officials note that they set a new annual ridership record of more than 28 million passengers for the last fiscal year.