Sunrail gets Grant to expand into Kissimmee

[Caesar La Rock]

Major news about Sunrail going to the Airport. The FTA has okayed the extension of Phase III.

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2015/10/breaking-sunrail-connector-to-orlando-airport-gets.html?ana=e_orl_bn_newsalert&u=le1O48c4zijx0ETR5Sf%2Fng0d04608e&t=1445909214

 

[jis]

That is very good news indeed. Another piece of the puzzle starts falling in place for the Orlando International intermodal station to become a regional hub.

 

[jis]

More good news about SunRail:

SunRail to expand to Orlando International Airport

He said FDOT will use $5 million to launch an environmental impact study next month on extending a five-and-a-half mile stretch of SunRail from the Sand Lake Road Station to Orlando International Airport's new Intermodal Station.

He said $20 million in construction funds are forecast to be used for the the project in 2020, but if everything goes smoothly, it could happen sooner.

SunRail is also applying for a $70 million federal grant to fund half of Phase IIb which extends service from Debary to Deland.

 

[MattW]

Any idea what the speed on the airport spur will be? I think CSX has it as 25 right now.

 

[jis]

The passenger line will be built as a new track on that ROW and freight will then use that track in all likelihood. What the speed limits are on the current track don't mean much.

 

[jis]

Construction on SunRail Phase II South to Poinciana begins today. And no this is not an April Fool's joke...

http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/12188789/sunrail-commuter-rail-route-to-poinciana-gets-green-light

 

[CSXfoamer1997]

They should perhaps also allow trains to run on weekends, as well as holidays.

 

[jis]

There are plans to do so after the Poinciana extension is completed. As usual, it will be a question of finding the money to be able to do so.

 

[CCC1007]

They should perhaps also allow trains to run on weekends, as well as holidays.

Since they own the corridor already, the only reason for no weekend service that I can see is that there is a lack of operating funds for such service.

 

[jis]

Indeed! They have to dispatch the corridor anyway for Amtrak and freight over weekends. It is a question of getting the operating funds for actually running the trains. They have enough rolling stock to do so, even for the Poinciana service, so that is not an issue either.

 

[Caesar La Rock]

Of course, operating on the weekend is a risky business, provided something is done about Lynx and Votran operating on the weekends. However, I have a feeling they'll find a solution. Uber is doing alright in that department.