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August 12, 2008
Orlando Commuter Rail Takes Another Step

08/12/2008 © Lakeland Ledger

LAKELAND | Thirty-one miles of the 61-mile Central Florida Commuter Rail project has been approved for final design, project backers announced Monday.

The OK from the Federal Transit Administration covers the section from DeBary in Volusia County to Sand Lake Road in Orange County.

That segment does not include the southernmost link that includes a proposed station in Poinciana. That will be covered in an as-yet-unscheduled second phase.

"This is a major milestone for Central Florida Commuter Rail, with federal green-light approval to proceed to Final Design," said U.S. Rep. John L. Mica, R-Winter Park, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Mica announced the move during a news conference Monday at Walt Disney World. Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie C. Kopelousos joined him.

DOT officials can proceed with the design and seek reimbursement from federal funds, which are expected to be sought in next year's budget now that the final design has been approved, according to Mica's office.

However, funding of the actual construction still depends on the Florida Legislature's approval of a liability provision that was rejected during the last session.

There is still substantial opposition to the project from leaders in the Lakeland and Tampa area, who are pushing for a more comprehensive look at commuter needs throughout the state, rather than simply the Orlando area.

Mica said the announcement "brings Central Florida within grasp of a cost-effective alternative to crippling gasoline costs and growing highway congestion along I-4."

Final design is the third step of a four-step process ending in construction. The first two phases, analysis of alternatives and preliminary engineering and environmental studies, have already been completed.

Backers hope to have the system operating by 2011.


[ Tom Palmer can be reached at tom.palmer@theledger.com or 863-802-7535. ]