Central Florida Breaks Ground on SunRail

Posted on: January 27, 2012 in Transportation News

(Official press release from the Florida Department of Transportation)

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS – Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad, Congressman John Mica, Congresswoman Corrine Brown and Federal Transit Administration Regional Administrator Dr. Yvette Taylor today joined local funding partners and several hundred supporters at a ground breaking ceremony at the future home of the SunRail station in Altamonte Springs to signal the start of construction of the SunRail commuter rail project in Central Florida.

Secretary Prasad said:  “Your grassroots support for this critical project has made SunRail a reality for the citizens and businesses of Central Florida. Working together, as partners, we are creating jobs, growing the economy and offering much needed transportation options for this region of the state. Today’s momentous event marks not just the beginning of construction – but the beginning of a new chapter in transportation in Orlando and Central Florida.”

Secretary Prasad told the train’s supporters the next big challenge will be to ensure SunRail’s success by reaching out to the community and convincing them to ride SunRail trains.

Construction on Phase I of SunRail includes double-tracking, signal improvements, stations and an operations control center. The 31-mile first phase of SunRail will serve 12 stations, linking DeBary to Orlando. Phase II will service five additional stations, north to DeLand and south to Poinciana. SunRail commuter rail service is expected to begin in 2014.

For more information, visit the SunRail website.