News › Press Releases SUNRAIL PROJECT ON TRACK TO MOVE THROUGH HOUSE
February 18
TALLAHASSEE, FL- Legislation expanding commuter rail in Central Florida won approval from the House Economic Development and Community Affairs Council today. House PCB 09-01, sponsored by Representative Gary Aubuchon (R- Cape Coral), authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation to move forward with the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project, also known as SunRail.
“Commuter rail and the use of alternative transportation modes will help meet the growing transportation needs of our state, reduce highway congestion, increase protection for the environment, enhance transportation capacity and, perhaps most important, stimulate economic development,” said Representative Aubuchon. “Given present economic challenges, it is imperative that we explore all possibilities to revitalize our economy and provide jobs for Florida’s workforce and SunRail provides that opportunity. I appreciate the strong support of my colleagues and stakeholders in advancing this important effort.”
“The future of Florida’s transportation needs and goals is perhaps the most important policy discussion we will have this year,” said Representative Dave Murzin (R- Pensacola), Chairman of the House Economic Development and Community Affairs Council. “The passage of this legislation is the first step in producing an overall framework by which commuter rail and its accompanying jobs will be developed in Florida.”
SunRail is a partnership between the Florida Department of Transportation and local governments in Central Florida to provide commuter rail service in the greater Orlando area. When completed, it will consist of 61 miles along existing freight tracks, connecting four Central Florida counties. This project is a joint federal-state-local partnership that will help get Florida’s economy moving and be part of a catalyst to help create over 164,000 jobs for Floridians over the next two decades.
SunRail has strong bipartisan support including Governor Crist, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, numerous local officials from cities and counties in Central Florida, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, the Florida Transportation Commission and the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce.
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House Majority Office
Joseph Agostini
(850) 488-1993
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