Florida lawmakers are hopeful that the SunRail bill passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist last month will clear the way for a high-speed commuter train line in Central Florida that could extend to Miami in the future.
Florida is seeking $2.6 billion in federal stimulus money for the construction and operation of a commuter train that would exceed speeds of 110 mph and link Orlando with Lakeland and Tampa starting as early as 2012.
The Obama administration has set aside $8 billion for high-speed rail projects. Meanwhile, transit administrators are reviewing applications from nearly 40 states and Washington, D.C., for rail money totaling close to $60 billion. The money is part of the federal government’s $787 billion stimulus bill intended to create new jobs.
Federal officials, including Florida’s two U.S. senators and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, had warned that Florida would not qualify for federal funding unless the state supported in-state commuter-rail projects with a high-speed system linked to commuter rail. Florida lawmakers on Dec. 8 endorsed a commuter train for Central Florida and agreed to pay more for commuter rail service in South Florida, thereby potentially improving the state’s chances of winning federal funding for high-speed rail.
The new law will help underwrite operations of the financially troubled Tri-Rail commuter line in South Florida, increasing the state’s current $27 million annual subsidy by up to $15 million in gas-tax money. The SunRail law also shifts $60 million to rail projects from other transportation spending starting in 2014 and provides for the creation of two new state entities to plan and oversee passenger rail systems across Florida.
Supporters of the rail legislation say it also increases the potential for SunRail, Tri-Rail and a high-speed rail line to generate thousands of new jobs in a state with some 1 million unemployed residents.
Crist signed the rail bill into law on Dec. 16 at signing ceremonies in Tallahassee; in Tampa, at the future site of the Tampa High Speed rail station; at Orlando’s historic Church Street Station; and at the Tri-Rail stop for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Crist said the SunRail bill could set the stage for commuter trains in diverse metro areas such as Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and South Florida that could someday all be connected by high-speed rail.
The governor called the outcome of the legislative special session “a brave and historic step to transform Florida’s future – not only as it relates to transportation in our state, but also for the employment and economic opportunity of our people.”
While the federal DOT had not officially announced any frontrunners for funding as of late December, one congressman claimed that Florida is one of four finalists in the running for federal stimulus dollars. U.S. Rep. John Mica of Winter Park, a 17-year member of Congress and the ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee, said California, the Chicago area and Texas are also on that short list.
Voters in California, which is asking for $4.5 billion in federal stimulus funds, approved borrowing $10 billion for a train that can travel up to 200 mph and would link Los Angeles and San Francisco, and eventually could go east to Las Vegas. Chicago wants $11.5 billion for a train that would link it with St. Louis. Texas has asked for $1.8 billion for various projects.
Other applicants vying for federal dollars include a proposal to connect North Carolina and the Washington, D.C., area.
The federal DOT is evaluating the applications on a number of factors, including whether they provide long-term public benefit, quick results, economic stimulus and commitments from the state and host railroads. Last month, Florida’s congressional delegation sent a letter to LaHood urging that the state be considered for federal stimulus money in light of the significant progress recently made on high-speed rail.
SunRail opponents criticize its cost – the state would pay CSX Transportation $432 million for 61.5 miles of track in the Orlando area and the “no fault” insurance-liability agreement with CSX, which would continue to run its freight trains on the SunRail line. Opponents also say estimates of the number of jobs that would be created are overstated, as are projected ridership figures, particularly since the line won’t connect to Walt Disney World or Orlando International Airport.
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