SunRail talking points

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), in cooperation with the federal
government and local officials in Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Osceola counties and the city of Orlando, is advancing SunRail, a commuter rail transit project that will run along a 61-mile stretch of existing rail freight tracks in the four-county area.

The 31-mile first phase of SunRail will serve 12 stations, linking DeBary to Orlando. Phase II will serve 5 additional stations, north to DeLand and south to Poinciana. Service will begin in 2013 for Phase I and 2015 Phase II.

Capital costs for the project are $615 M
• 50 percent is federally funded
• 25 percent is state funded
• 25 percent is locally funded

SunRail will move the equivalent of one lane of traffic from I-4 during peak travel times.

Major Transportation Investments – Comparisons

• I-4 - cost to expand the interstate to achieve the same capacity would exceed $4 B
• Wekiva Parkway – cost to build - $1.8 B – 26 miles (10 miles through environmentally sensitive lands)
• I-4/Wekiva Parkway Interchange - $350 M
• SunRail – purchase of the 61 mile (ROW and tracks) $432 M (Phases I and II)

SunRail Creates Jobs

• More than 113,000 construction jobs will be created within one-half mile of station stops as the area develops/redevelops.
• More than 13,000 direct SunRail construction and operations jobs will be created, most of them almost immediately, generating more than $350 M in household earnings.

SunRail Stimulates Development and Redevelopment

• SunRail will spur development and redevelopment along rail lines and at station stops.
• Over $2 B in economic development has occurred along the Rail Line in Charlotte over the past few years.
• Within 20 years, property owners can expect an increase of almost nine times their current value for property values within one-half mile of station stops.

SunRail Boosts Business Revenues and Profits

• $4.6 B dollars in earnings will be generated for the construction sector over the next 20 years.
• Secondary economic impacts of more than $2.5 B will result from workers living and spending within the area.

SunRail Enhances Productivity and Reduces Consumer Costs

• SunRail will result in savings for both highway and transit users in terms of reduced travel and commute times and reduced fuel costs.
• Existing LYNX transit routes will be adjusted to connect to serve the SunRail system.

SunRail Benefits Local and State Tax Revenues

• According to the American Public Transportation Association, a typical state or local government could realize a 4 to 16 % gain in revenue due to the increases in income and employment by investments in transit.
• SunRail will result in an infusion of more than $8.8 B over the next 30 years into Florida's economy.

CSX will invest $432+ M CSX has committed to reinvest the entire $432 M from the sale of the 61 mile corridor in the State of Florida to enhance the Freight Rail system including the Winter Haven Intermodal Logistics Center. This can only happen if SunRail advances. This reinvestment will enhance the flow of good throughout the state in anticipation to improvements to Florida's deep water ports.

Information courtesy of Central Florida Partnership and Florida Department of Transportation.