( CNN ) -- In some post-election hardball between the Obama administration and newly-elected Republicans , Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is threatening to take back stimulus funds from states if they do not follow through on proposed rail projects . CNN obtained copies of letters LaHood sent to incoming Republican governors in Ohio and Wisconsin who have stated their opposition to rail projects already underway in their states . In the letters , LaHood said a rail link between Cleveland , Columbus , Dayton and Cincinnati in Ohio , and a high-speed rail connection between Chicago , Illinois , and Milwaukee , Wisconsin , are vital to economic growth in both regions . Lahood wrote that he respects the power of governors to make decisions for their states , but , `` There seems to be some confusion about how these high-speed rail dollars can be spent . '' To Wisconsin 's Gov.-elect Scott Walker , LaHood said that none of the funds can be used for roads or any other projects . He went on to say , `` Consequently , unless you change your position , we plan to engage in an orderly transition to wind down Wisconsin 's project so that we do not waste taxpayer 's money . '' That letter was delivered on Monday . A similar letter was sent to Gov.-elect John Kasich in Ohio on Tuesday . In that letter , LaHood mentions the thousands of jobs that would be created with the construction of a rail link between the state 's largest cities . LaHood said he was aware that Kasich had asked President Barack Obama if $ 400 million dollars from the federal government intended to fund the passenger rail project could instead be used for road construction and freight lines . LaHood wrote , `` I wanted to let you know that none of those funds can be used for anything other than our High-Speed Rail Program , '' and he signaled his intention to take the money back if the project does n't move forward . The Transportation Department has committed a total of $ 823 million to a 441-mile-long high-speed rail connection from Chicago to Minneapolis . But if Wisconsin balks on the section that would run between Milwaukee and Madison , the project can not be completed . Similarly , the DOT committed $ 400 million to a 250-mile-long intercity passenger rail line that would run from Cincinnati , through Dayton and Columbus , and on to Cleveland . The Transportation Secretary is in a fight to keep several proposed high-speed rail projects alive after New Jersey 's Republican Gov . Chris Christie abruptly killed the nation 's largest infrastructure project last month . The ARC Tunnel would have involved the construction of a second rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York and an expansion of Penn Station in New York City . It was expected to double commuter rail capacity on the Northeast Corridor , the nation 's busiest rail line , and ease congestion on New Jersey 's highways . Now the feds want their money back from New Jersey . On Monday , a letter was sent from the Federal Transit Administration to New Jersey Transit , the state 's public transportation authority , requesting an immediate repayment of $ 271 million in federal funds already spent on the project . The letter stated the funds were obligated for the ARC tunnel and because the project was terminated , the money most be returned . New Jersey Transit officials responded by saying they are reviewing the request and they do not agree that the issue is as clear-cut as portrayed in the FTA letter . Christie put an end to the tunnel , claiming that potential cost overruns could range from $ 2 billion to $ 5 billion , something the cash-strapped state can not afford . But USDOT officials believe any cost overruns on ARC would n't have exceeded $ 800 million .
Governors-elect in Ohio and Wisconsin got letters from the transportation secretary . The governors have stated objections to rail projects in their states . Comment: Or return federal stimulus funds designated for high-speed rail projects .