SunRail agreement brings Central Florida one step closer to long-needed commuter rail

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.

Signing the agreement with Florida DOT Secretary Anath Prasad

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.

But, 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.

Photo courtesy Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

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

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.

Comments

[puppy]

Can't wait to ride.

[Harvey Botzman]

Please make certain the design of all Sunrail passenger cars include space for at least 6 unboxed bicycles to be transported at any time during the day & night.
Intermodality, particularly in Florida where it is very hot during the day and cooler during the morning rush hours, can only encourage use of Sunrail facilities.

The bicycle as a form of transportation, rather than only for recreation, is becoming increasingly important.

At this design stage, the US DOT & the FL DOT as well as the Sunrail staff must include sufficient space for unboxed bicycle carriage in each Sunrail passenger car.

[Leo King]

Way to go, Mr. Secretary! :-) Some people, like you, have the vision and foresight to understand commuter rail is a fine idea. Sadly, only one rail system has existed in the Sunshine State until this week. Now there are two.

Leo King
Editor
Florida Transportation Today
http://floridatransportationtoday.typepad.com/

[joe augustyn]

"that's exactly the kind of strategic vison the Obama Administration has employed"> Propaganda>. Good news article until I read this political rhetoric.
Joe Augustyn

[joe augustyn]

Why is the author of the article allowed to screen all comments before posting? The Editor yes, but the author?
Joe Augustyn