Florida Transportation Today

‘Sour grapes’ over SunRail?

 TAMPA BAY – A Tampa TV station is alleging improprieties – if not wrongdoing – by SunRail executives in promoting the coming$1.2 billion commuter rail service project.

Reporter Noah Pransky at WTSP Tampa wrote that in the past seven years, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has spent $1.7 million in taxpayer money on “public involvement,” which includes public relations, producing videos, and focus groups to come up with the perfect name for the 61-mile commuter rail project.

“Because (FDOT) couldn’t win in the court of public opinion, they had to spend a lot of our money,” said SunRail critic Rosemary Goudreau, a former Editorials Editor at The Tampa Tribune.

“(It) tried to influence public opinion to think that this is a good deal, when it was one of the worst deals Florida has ever made in terms of transportation.”

SunRail has been criticized recently for its high price, low ridership projections, degree of risk to the state, and possible negative impact on Polk County. About half the cost of the project is a payment to private corporation CSX for partial use of the tracks.

Even before the state legislature gave the final approval for the project in 2009, FDOT was spending large amounts of money on shaping opinion.

A public information request revealed the following FDOT expenditures on SunRail between 2004 and 2011:

•$831,613 to Marianna Ingborg Amberg Gurnee, a former Orlando Sentinel writer, for public relations consulting.

•$352,135 to Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin for public relations on environmental assessment.

•$299,917 to “MyRegion.org,” a private pro-rail group, for hosting public meetings and focus groups to come up with SunRail’s name.

•$118,380.76 to Pecora & Pecora for public relations, including “message development” and “strategic communications leading up to the Aug. 2006 announcement of an Agreement in Principle between FDOT and CSXT for sale of the SunRail corridor”

•$105,638 to Data Transfer Solutions for public relations videos.

Goudreau, who was acting as a private consultant to the Downtown Lakeland Partnership by 2009, calls the MyRegion.org contract particularly appalling. She said she would frequently see representatives from the group and its parent company, the Central Florida Partnership, in Tallahassee.

The complete story can be found at www.wtsp.com/news/local/article/205449/8/10-News-Investigators-find-hidden-costs-of-SunRail-

SunRail Winter Park station gets nod

 
Rendering | City of Winter Park via Orlando Sentinel

SunRail’s Winter Park station is expected to look like this. Construction should start this time next year. Winter Park officials on Monday approved design tweaks to its future SunRail stop, allowing for wider canopies and platforms that can accommodate more passengers and make waiting areas less cramped. The coming SunRail station will look snazzier than the gray concrete slabs at the adjacent Amtrak stop, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Set to start this time next year, construction would rip out the middle platform that runs parallel to Central Park downtown and place the northbound and southbound tracks side by side. New platforms to the east and west would be repaved with red brick. Aligning the tracks in the middle makes room for canopies sheltering passengers on both sides, including one for disabled passengers who use an access ramp.

SunRail grade crossings ok’d

 ORLANDO – At its July meeting, the MetroPlan Orlando board approved a staff analysis of the 96 crossings along phase one of the SunRail corridor to determine what is necessary to bring the crossings to a quiet zone-ready state.

To improve safety at railroad crossings, the Federal Railroad Administration established the latest version of the federal train horn rule in 2005, requiring train operators to sound train horns in advance of all highway crossings. The rule gives communities along rail lines the option of silencing horns by establishing quiet zones. In order to exercise this option, crossings must have the required safety engineering improvements to reduce the risk of collisions.

“SunRail is the region’s number one transportation priority and keeping the community safe at railroad crossings is crucial,” said MetroPlan Orlando Chairman and Orange County Commissioner Bill Segal.

“I’m pleased that the Municipal Advisory Committee brought this matter to the board’s attention. It’s an opportunity for us to coordinate with the communities along the SunRail line and improve safety for everyone,” he added.

The advisory committee, which is made up of elected officials from Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties, initially decided to form a Quiet Zone Subcommittee in March 2010 to discuss ways to improve safety and ensure quality of life for municipalities in the SunRail Corridor Committee members concluded that support was needed from the MetroPlan Orlando board to conduct the quiet zones analysis.

The staff analysis will include coordination with the Florida DOT and Volusia Transportation Planning Organization.

Once complete, staff will make a recommendation on the potential project cost and scope of work and will strive to identify funding within the MetroPlan Orlando work program that may be used should contractual services be required. If staff determines that contractual services are needed, they will approach the board for approval at the September meeting.

The Federal Railroad Administration recently instructed FDOT to complete a statewide plan to improve safety at railroad crossings. The quiet zones analysis will put Central Florida ahead of the curve on this issue.

MetroPlan Orlando is the metropolitan transportation planning organization for Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.

How will SunRail survive in seven years?

 ORLANDO – Orlando Sentinel reporter Dan Tracy yesterday asked an intriguing and important question: after state aid ends, how will we pay for SunRail?

He wrote, “Now that the SunRail commuter train is a go in Central Florida, area politicians have to decide how to pay for the service and the extra buses that will be needed to get passengers to and from their destinations.”

He continued, fortunately, elected officials have seven years to come up with a plan, because the state is responsible for paying the bills until then.

Unfortunately, they are limited to options typically unpopular with voters: raising taxes or, possibly, reallocating existing ones.

“There is no political will in place [for tax hikes],” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, though she added: “That will not always be the case.”

SunRail, which will cost $1.2 billion to get up and running, will likely require millions of dollars a year to make up for operating deficits.

The three most likely ways to underwrite SunRail’s operating deficits and expanded Lynx bus service are increasing or setting aside existing portions of the local gas tax, increasing the local sales tax or adding a $2 surcharge to local car rentals.

For the complete story, go to http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/os-lynx-sunrail-taxes-20110721,0,6846913.story.

LaHood’s take on SunRail

 Opinion

SunRail agreement brings Central Florida

one step closer to long-needed commuter rail 

By Ray LaHood

U. S. Transportation Secretary

 (Editor’s note – The author wrote this article on Tuesday for his official blog, Fast Lane. It is at http://fastlane.dot.gov/) 

As anyone who commutes on I-4 in or around Orlando will tell you, it is one of the most congested highways in the country – but soon, thanks to SunRail, commuters and others living in the greater Orlando area will be able to opt out of the region’s traffic mess.

Yesterday, I joined Congressman John Mica, Congresswoman Corinne Brown, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to sign a grant agreement pledging $178.6 million in federal support through 2013 to build Central Florida’s first commuter rail line.

The first 32-mile segment of the 61-mile system is scheduled for completion in 2014, and when SunRail opens for business, area residents will be able to skip daily traffic snarls, spend less of their hard-earned income on gas, reduce the region’s tailpipe emissions, and help cut America’s dependence on expensive foreign oil.

In addition to providing easy access to Orlando central business district’s 730,000 jobs, there are approximately 79,000 more jobs within walking distance of the line’s 12 stations. Economic opportunities will also spring up around SunRail stations as new businesses open to serve commuters’ needs and other businesses relocate to be near transit access. The Florida Department of Transportation estimates another 150,000 jobs will be created as a result of business and economic development around the line.

Even before SunRail begins to pay those important dividends, design, engineering and construction of the rail line will put nearly 11,000 of Florida’s men and women to work. In a region that’s been hit hard by tough economic times, those jobs are a welcome blessing.

Over the last two years, that’s exactly the kind of strategic vision the Obama Administration has employed in making transportation investments: finding opportunities to create jobs today while increasing our economic competitiveness tomorrow.

Already we’ve put tens of thousands of workers on 15,000 roadway, railway, transit, and airport job sites in every state of the union. We’re helping communities lay the foundation they need for economic development – and we’re giving Americans the choices they want for getting to work, school, grocery stores, and doctor appointments.

If we’ve learned anything in the past two and a half years, it’s that we can still do big things in America. We can once again make our nation’s transportation system the envy of the world.

Winter Haven CSX freight yard construction may start near winter

 WINTER HAVEN – Construction of the long-awaited, job-creating CSX Winter Haven terminal could get started in November, according to the Florida DOT SunRail timeline.  CSX said Monday it should have a firm date in a few weeks.

The Ledger of Lakeland reported today Florida DOT spokesman Dick Kane said the deal to take over the downtown Orlando track slated for use by SunRail could close in November or December. That will mean $173 million for CSX, but it will also force the company to reroute freight traffic currently using the downtown Orlando line to Polk County, traffic the Winter Haven year will eventually serve.

CSX will not say exactly when construction could start but CSX spokesman Gary Sease said the company should make a decision in the next few weeks.

“We have said all along that as SunRail went forward that we would build the Winter Haven terminal consistent with the FDOT schedule for SunRail, and construction and implementation,” Sease said. “Nothing’s changed on that. We still don’t have an exact timetable but we will be working on that over the next few weeks.”

CSX will receive $432 million total, including the $173 million to buy rail lines for use by SunRail, from the Florida DOT.

Useful website: www.theledger.com/

SunRail prepares for business

 

 
 Three photos | SunRail, Steve Olson 

USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood tells the SunRail well-wishers “Investing in a modern transportation network is part of President Obama’s strategy to win the future by out-building and out-competing the rest of the world.” Ceremonies yesterday in Orlando got the Central Florida commuter rail system underway.

 ORLANDO – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today signed the grant agreement that gives the green light for construction to begin on the Orlando SunRail project. He was joined at the kick-off by Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff, Florida Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica, Representative Corrine Brown, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and other state and local officials.

The ceremony, which took place at the future site of the Florida Hospital Station, marks the largest federal transit investment in Central Florida and is expected to create an estimated 11,000 construction-related jobs at a time when they are needed most.

“Investing in a modern transportation network is part of President Obama’s strategy to win the future by out-building and out-competing the rest of the world,” LaHood said.

He noted, “We’re bringing real transportation choices to greater Orlando, so more people can leave their cars at home, give their kids cleaner air to breathe and reduce our nation’s dependence on oil.”

The Full Funding Grant Agreement commits $178.6 million in funding from the Department’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to the initial 32-mile segment of the SunRail commuter rail project. The funding amount, which represents roughly half of the project’s $357.2 million estimated total cost, will be paid out by the FTA through 2013.

“SunRail will give hundreds of thousands of Central Florida residents a viable transportation alternative,” said Administrator Peter Rogoff. “Not only will they be able to avoid congestion, they will be in an environment where they can get work done while commuting.”

In addition to providing easy access to Orlando central business district’s 730,000 jobs, there are another approximately 79,000 jobs within walking distance of the line’s 12 stations. In addition to the nearly 11,000 jobs created by engineering, design, construction, and operations, the Florida DOT estimates another 150,000 jobs as a result of business and economic development around the line.

The line will connect downtown Orlando to Orange, Seminole and Volusia Counties along existing tracks, and in addition to having 12 new stations, it will consist of seven locomotives, 14 passenger cars, and parking for commuters. Stops along the line will include Florida Hospital Station, serving one of the largest employers in Central Florida, and within walking distance of many cultural, entertainment, shopping and dining destinations.

• Central Station—the hub of LYNX, Orlando’s transit system – providing easy transfers to city buses that serve greater Orlando and connecting with LYMMO, the city’s free downtown bus rapid transit line. County and federal courthouses, the Amway Arena, and many of Orlando’s business, shopping, entertainment and recreational venues are all within easy walking distance.

• Orlando Health and Amtrak Station, offering a connection with Amtrak service to New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, as well as destinations within Florida like Jacksonville.

Surrounding medical facilities include Orlando Regional Medical Center, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies.

The line, which will also offer bus connection to Orlando International Airport, is considered the first phase of what is expected to be a 61-mile commuter rail line extending further north to Deland and further south to Osceola County. 

Florida Hospital has been a strong supporter of SunRail. That’s where the ceremonies inaugurating the startup service began yesterday. The first trains should roll in late 2013 or early 2014.

  Prasad and Rogoff signed the SunRail Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) at a signing ceremony yesterday at the site of Florida Hospital’s future SunRail station stop in downtown Orlando.

The funding plan provides 50 percent federal funding, 25 percent state funding and 25 percent local funding for Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties and the City of Orlando for the entire 61-mile project. Today’s signing covers funding for Phase I of the project.

“Today’s event is a critical step toward SunRail moving forward. It commits the federal government and the state to getting SunRail built and operating,” said Prasad, “but more importantly, the pledges from all the local partners and the many businesses will once again reinforce their commitment to doing all they can to ensure SunRail’s success.”

For Phase I, $178.6 million is federal funds, and to date, $101.2 million of that cash has been allocated to SunRail Phase I in Fiscal Year 2011 and prior. Monday’s signing means the remaining federal funds are pledged as $50 million in fiscal 2012 and $27.38 million in fiscal 2013.

The 31-mile first phase of SunRail will serve 12 stations, linking DeBary to Orlando. Phase II will serve 5 additional stations, north to DeLand and south to Poinciana. Service for Phase I is expected to begin in late 2013-early 2014.

Rep. John L. Mica the funding is part of the $178.6 million federal share- half – of the total project cost for Phase I. Mica chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Rep. Corrine Brown said, “I am so, so glad to see this day has arrived – the kick off and formal beginning of Sun Rail here in Central Florida.

Brow is the Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee’s Railroad Subcommittee.

“Certainly, this initiative has been the achieved through the tireless work of all of the partners involved: local, state and federal.

She added, “I would like to send a special thank you to a few of the key players in particular for all of your efforts to make Sun Rail a reality – Congressman John Mica, CSX, without them, Sun Rail would not have been a reality; Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno, and former Mayor Richard Crotty.”

She said she sees a bright future in Florida transportation, and sent a barb to Gov. Scott.

“Finally – the Florida state government has decided to become a team player and work in partnership with the local and federal government to improve our state’s transportation system. Beyond a doubt, the approval of Sun Rail will be crucial in putting the hard working people of Florida back to work and will go a long way towards decreasing the terrible congestion that afflicts the entire Central Florida region. We have worked with all of the stakeholders in Central Florida, as well as the state and federal government, for many years to provide financial and logistical support for commuter rail. Unlike Governor Scott’s decision on high speed rail, approving Sun Rail was a good decision that will allow Florida residents to enjoy the benefits of reduced highway congestion, improved air quality, an alternative way to travel, and a tremendous boost in job creation for the state of Florida.”

Brown noted, “Transportation and Infrastructure funding is absolutely critical to economic development, and will serve as a tremendous job creating boost, which the state of Florida desperately needs. Sun Rail will also assist people working in the state’s $60 billion a year tourist industry to travel to and from work.

LaHood was in Miami earlier this week when he joined federal, state and local leaders to break ground on the Port of Miami Intermodal and Rail Reconnection Project. The $49 million project received $22 million in 2010 from the Department’s TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant program.

The grant will help pay for the restoration of rail service between the port and the Florida East Coast Ry. yard in Hialeah, which was suspended in 2005 following damage to the lift bridge during Hurricane Wilma. The rail reconnection project is part of a larger investment program taking place at the Port of Miami. The Miami Access Tunnel and the 50-foot dredge project will allow the Port of Miami to benefit from the Panama Canal expansion in late 2014.

 

USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood and Florida DOT Secretary Ananth Prasad ink the pact that makes SunRail an entity with teeth – and cash.

SunRail to turn earth today for its startup; trains to run in 2014

 ORLANDO – It was a long time coming, but the groundbreaking for SunRail is today.

The 61.5-mile commuter rail system will see passenger trains, owned by Central Floridians, operating in 2014. Dignitaries will pick up shovels today at 2:30 p.m. at Florida Hospital, which was a big booster of the rail system.

SunRail spokesman Steve Olson told FTT SunRail is buying seven GP-40 Tier 0+ diesel locomotives from Motive Power, Inc., of Boise, Idaho. Nine bi-level cab cars and five bi-level coaches will be coming from Bombardier of Quebec.

Even before trains can roll, existing track will have to be modified to accommodate more trains than CSX’s “A Line” now accommodates, even though Amtrak sends four trains over those rails daily. Two go northward from Miami to Jacksonville and on to New York City, and the other two go southward. One of them goes to Tampa as well.

Ticket prices will be in the neighborhood of $2.50 for travel within one county and $1 per additional county. There will be substantial discounts for passengers who buy multi-use passes as well as senior citizen discounts.

The total cost of the project through 2030 is $1.28 billion – that includes both capital and operations and maintenance costs, SunRail said in an “FAQ” report online. FAQs are frequently asked questions.

The total capital costs for SunRail Phase 1 and 2 are approximately $1.05 billion, of which $432 million will purchase the Central Florida Commuter Rail Corridor from CSX, – it’s A Line. $150 million of that will purchase 61.5 miles of track in Central Florida, a corridor that is now valued in excess of about $400 million by two independent appraisers.

Florida DOT awarded a professional services contract in February 2009 to a joint venture led by Atlanta-based Archer Western Contractors Ltd. and RailWorks Track Systems, Inc. of New York City, for partial design and construction associated with Central Florida’s SunRail commuter rail transit project.

$615 million will be spent for capital costs, which includes designing and building for two phases

Hof of the costs will come from the Federal Transit Administration and its New Starts program, one-fourth comes from the state, and the other quarter is divided up among the five local partners; Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola Counties and the City of Orlando.

The local funding partners, the counties, are contributing capital costs:

• Volusia $26.5 million

• Seminole $46.2 million

• Orange $40.4 million - includes Winter Park and Maitland stations

• Osceola $27.1 million

• Orlando $13.7 million

When SunRail gets the track and land from CSX, the money will buy several items. $198 million will go toward improvements to the S-Line to mitigate impact on surrounding communities; improve freight delivery services throughout the state as Florida continues to grow; keep consumer costs down; takes trucks off roads; protect the environment; improve road safety; reduce road maintenance costs, and other items. Some $9 million for road improvements around an Integrated Logistics Center will mitigate the impact on surrounding communities, and $23 million will go to relocate some freight traffic from the Taft Yard to the new ILC.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) pays for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the system for the first seven years of the operations. After the first seven years of operations by FDOT, the system is turned over to the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, which will assume all responsibilities and pay for the full operation of the SunRail system for year eight and beyond. The local communities will pay for all costs of the system beyond what the revenues from the system can sustain.

Some station stops will include Florida Hospital, which will pay $3.5 million for own platform. It will also market and subsidize ridership for all 17,000 employees.

Orlando Health will invest in redesign of its entrance for a commuter rail stop; Walt Disney World Resort will subsidize Commuter Bus Transit Service throughout Central Florida, Tupperware Brands Corp. will donate more than 10 acres of land to serve as the site for the station.

Several other firms have made commitments to support commuter rail.

That happens to be for commutes during the traditional workday hours. Off-peak service will be offered for those commuters requiring a mid-day work commute or wishing to use the system for other reasons.

In addition, additional trains may be added if the locals wish to pay for the service. The agreements that the Department signed with CSXT allows for additional off-peak service as well as weekend service.

Back on July 1, Florida DOT Secretary Ananth Prasad made it clear the state would be held harmless if things go awry, and the counties and communities involved in the rail service would have to bear the burden of costs.

“My recent tour of Central Florida provided an opportunity for any of these groups to explain if they no longer intended to live up to these promises. They did not, and I have reported this back to Governor Scott,” he aid, and added, “The partners told me they still support the commuter rail system, and they clearly understand that the local governments will participate in covering any cost overruns.”

SunRail to buy MotivePower engines

 TALLAHASSEE – The Florida DOT on July 6 gave the okay for Boise, Idaho-based MotivePower, Inc. to begin the design and manufacturing SunRail locomotives. How many, which model and how much horsepower have not yet been disclosed.

 

A day earlier FDOT gave approval for Archer Western/Railworks – a joint venture led by Atlanta-based Archer Western Contractor and RailWorks Track Systems, Inc. – to begin final design and maintenance activities needed to start construction on the corridor. Construction is set for a fall start. RailWorks has a Jacksonville office at 4401 Salisbury Rd.

The Orlando Business Journal reported yesterday the state agency has also issued a request for proposals for a vendor to provide insurance brokerage services for the planned $1.3 billion commuter rail system.

The state transportation department requires an initial policy for rail corridor general liability coverage of $30 million no later than Sept. 30, according to an FDOT spokesman. Proposals are due by July 21, and the contract is expected to be awarded on August 12.

 

Prasad explains SunRail rationale

 
Image | SunRail

When SunRail trans start running in a couple of years, they will look like these drawings. The artwork was the winner of a SunRail design competion.

  TALLAHASSEE – Florida Gov. Rick Scott, R, and his state transportation secretary, will hold Central Florida’s feet to the fire if SunRail’s promises go south.

As FTT reported on Friday, Ananth Prasad, the Florida DOT Secretary, said he and the governor will hold local governments and the private sector to their commitments.

Prasad said on Friday, “Today I will call Peter Rogoff – the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration – and tell him we will sign the full funding grant agreement once it clears the 60-day review period in Congress and is transmitted to the state.”

Now two Florida solons, from opposite sides of the aisle, agree with Scott’s decision

Prasad said he listened to elected officials and listened to public comments earlier last week.

In Prasad’s remarks, he said, before a gathering of political figures, media types and others, “As you all know, SunRail is a project that the department, previous governors, legislatures, local elected officials, and tens of thousands of Floridians have spent years working on to move forward.”

He noted, “At the federal level, Florida Congressman John Mica, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, has been the most vocal champion of SunRail and commuter rail in Central Florida for nearly twenty years. He has supported this project by securing funding and he has held numerous hearings and public meetings throughout Florida and in Washington.”

Add to that list Rep. Corrine Brown, D.

Prasad explained that on the previous Tuesday, “I spent the day meeting with citizens across Central Florida and the five major SunRail funding partners to discuss the framework of the SunRail project. I laid out the details of the project and I asked them all if there were any new facts or information about SunRail – since they last voted on the project – which they felt should have a bearing on the decision of whether or not to proceed.

“This was important because SunRail is a partnership between local, state and federal governments - along with private sector entities - and it has been years in the making,” he said, adding, “With longtime advocates in Congress and the Florida Legislature, it has been championed as a much-needed transportation alternative in Central Florida.”

Prasad continued, “The state’s participation in this contractual partnership has been contingent on local government commitments, federal appropriations, and promises by private sector companies. My recent tour of Central Florida provided an opportunity for any of these groups to explain if they no longer intended to live up to these promises. They did not, and I have reported this back to Governor Scott.”

He added some details.

“The partners told me they still support the commuter rail system, and they clearly understand that the local governments will participate in covering any cost overruns. I spent most of my time listening. I listened to the elected officials, but, most importantly, I listened to the public comments. I listened to all sides of this debate, and I must tell you that the overwhelming majority of opinion expressed in each of the meetings I attended was in favor of moving forward. This was extremely helpful….”

He said he spent “nearly two hours with Governor Scott on Wednesday to brief him on the meetings and to once again review the history and legal framework of SunRail. This was the latest in ongoing meetings with the governor and his staff to present research and opinions from a wide variety of experts.”

DOT’s boss noted some of the politics involved in the decision.

“The SunRail agreement was approved by a previous legislature. At the conclusion of the 2009 Special Session on the SunRail project, the Florida House voted 84 to 25 to create the current framework of the project. In the Florida Senate the vote was 27 to 10. These votes, cast by legislators from all across Florida, included affirmative votes by current House Speaker Dean Cannon, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, and CFO Jeff Atwater who presided over the Senate at that time. SunRail was also supported by former Governors Bush and Crist.”

Prasad pointed out money from both the federal government and Florida had already been appropriated for the project.

He had a letter from Mica, “dated just days ago, reaffirmed the federal commitment to have funding immediately available for SunRail.”

He got to the decision and made it clear Scott’s rationale.

“With all due diligence complete, it is time for a decision. Because of all these previous actions and legal commitments spanning several years, today I am announcing that the governor has authorized the department on behalf of the State of Florida to sign the pending full funding grant agreement. This will culminate in SunRail’s construction and operation.”

This decision was made after a long deliberative process, he said, “and the result is that all stakeholders and partners will be held accountable as the project moves forward.”

In exchange for the purchase of rail track, CSX has committed to investments in railways all over the state. These investments will support other infrastructure such as helping make Florida’s ports more accessible for trade.

Other expected gains include Walt Disney World, which has committed to partially subsidize commuter bus transit service throughout Central Florida to its property. Also, Florida Hospital has committed to pay $3.5 million for its own rail stop and to market and subsidize ridership for all its 17,000 employees.

Tupperware Brands Corp. has committed to donate 10 acres of land to serve as the site for the proposed Osceola Parkway station and to establish a shuttle service to carry employees and others to encourage ridership.

Representative Brown said on Friday, “I am glad to see that the Florida state government has decided to be a team player and work with local and federal government to improve our transportation system. The approval of Sun Rail will be crucial in putting the hard working people of Florida back to work and in decreasing the terrible congestion plaguing the entire Central Florida region.”

She noted, “Not since the construction of I-4 has there been a transportation initiative of this magnitude in Central Florida. As more people and cars crowd our region, commuter rail will provide commuters with a cost-effective mass transit alternative to high gas prices and a congested and gridlocked I-4. In addition, economic development around the rail lines is poised to help many of the surrounding communities flourish.”

Brown said, “The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has confirmed that the Sun Rail project will have a positive impact on improving Central Florida transportation, employment and future development in our region. In fact, FTA analysis of the project identified 10,800 jobs that will be generated directly by the construction, and an estimated 150,000 future jobs resulting from transit-related corridor development.”

She views SunRail as a catalyst for many things.

“Beyond a doubt, Transportation and Infrastructure funding is absolutely critical to economic development, and will serve as a tremendous job creating boost, which the state of Florida desperately needs. Sun Rail will also assist people working in the state’s $60 billion a year tourist industry to travel to and from work.”

She briefly explained a little history of the project and offered her thanks to people who helped to bring the project to fruition – but still irked over Scott’s high-speed rail decision.

“We have worked with all of the stakeholders in Central Florida, as well as the state and federal government, for many years to provide financial and logistical support for commuter rail. Just to name a few of the players involved, I would like to commend Congressman John Mica, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno, former State Senator Constantine, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, and many, many others, or their steadfast efforts in making Sun Rail a reality. Unlike Governor Scott’s decision on high speed rail, approving Sun Rail was a good decision that will allow Florida residents to enjoy the benefits of reduced highway congestion, improved air quality an alternative way to travel, and tremendous job creation.”

Mica said last week “Governor Rick Scott’s approval for the SunRail passenger rail project signals jobs and improved transportation for Florida’s future. I commend the governor for moving forward and joining with local and federal partners in approving this transportation milestone.”