Recent News Articles
Running for the train; Hope for billions in federal aid gives high-speed rail new life
The chance to accelerate the development of high-speed rail in Florida is about to leave the station, but the Legislature might catch it if it hurries. The Obama administration is dangling $2.5 billion in economic-stimulus money to help Florida fund the construction of a high-speed link between Tampa and Orlando and to plan a second leg from Orlando to Miami. But not so fast:...
Worth another try: Look for ways to bring SunRail project back on track
Is there hope for SunRail, the commuter-rail project proposed to link west Volusia County with the downtown Orlando area and Osceola County? The outlook is grim. But backers -- including U.S. Rep. John Mica, who has been SunRail's most dogged proponent -- should not give up. This project is sorely needed in an area that will only grow more congested as the economy recovers and the...
How SunRail failed: Gripes, grudges and Paula Dockery's gift to senators
SunRail was, in the language of the state Legislature, a heavy lift. By the legislative session's 60th and final day, the bill to authorize the proposed Central Florida commuter train might as well have weighed as much as a diesel locomotive, or roughly 200 tons. It was weighted down by a dogged opponent, Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, who harped on proposed state payments of more...
Car culture lives on
TALLAHASSEE -- Forget leisurely reading the newspaper and drinking coffee on your morning commute to Orlando. Forget ever going anywhere on Central Florida commuter rail. That train is long gone. Lawmakers consigned Central Floridians to suffer through increasingly bad traffic on Interstate 4 and its packed feeder roads for . . . well, for who knows how long? The...
What we think: SunRail's last ride
Had SunRail passed the state Senate on Thursday, its leading supporters would be vying to get their share of the credit. Today, with SunRail at death's door, there's nothing to boast of. Nothing to be proud of. Just a lost opportunity. SunRail faced a host of obstacles, sure. Hostile attorneys and obstinate unions. A Lakeland lawmaker — Sen. Paula Dockery — determined to keep...
SunRail Senate Fight Is Fluid
TALLAHASSEE -- Supporters and the main detractor of the SunRail commuter train described the vote-gathering today for the $1.2 billion project as "fluid." That means it's anybody's guess what is going to happen with the train that would link DeBary in Volusia County to downtown Orlando and Poinciana in Osceola County. Backers, including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, worked the halls...
Gov says SunRail bill is nearing 21 votes
Gov. Charlie Crist said this afternoon that “we’re just about at 21” votes in the Senate for SB 1212, the bill that would provide the final step in completing the purchase of 61.5 miles of rail line for the SunRail commuter line in greater Orlando. Crist said that he and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos met with Sen. Frederica Wilson,...
The Legislature's unfinished business
With just days left in the Legislative session, lawmakers still can distinguish themselves by approving bills sure to boost the economy and protect the environment. Or they can fail Floridians in several profound ways. Save SunRail Winter Park’s Dean Cannon, the House's next speaker and now its lead budget negotiator, must get his chamber to abandon its raid of the state's...
SunRail Uses YouTube To State Case
ORLANDO -- An organization of business and civic leaders is applauding the use of YouTube to increase support for SunRail. The Central Florida Partnership has been a major supporter of the commuter rail and called the videos of potential riders talking about why SunRail is important to them, a true grassroots movement during the final days of the 2009 Florida Legislative Session....
Rail money: Is Florida going to be the caboose?
There's more pressure on state lawmakers to approve a Central Florida rail plan. John Mica and Corrine Brown dropped in on Tallahassee from their congressional offices Monday to urge state lawmakers to move forward on commuter rail or risk losing federal rail money for years to come. Brown, who chairs a transportation committee, said other U.S cities are ready to move...
