Transportation Secretary Foxx Leads Roundtable at MetroPlan Orlando

Posted on: January 31, 2014 in Transportation News

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx visits MetroPlan Orlando

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx met with about 30 local leaders at MetroPlan Orlando offices as part of a visit to Central Florida.

The Secretary told the elected and civic officials: “First-class jobs gravitate to first-class infrastructure.” He said Central Florida’s regional cooperation is having an “amazing impact” on transportation and economic development in the area.

“Transportation is what makes us competitive. It’s what moves us forward,” Secretary Foxx told the gathering. He then invited comments about local transportation concerns.

During nearly an hour of discussion, participants told the Secretary that a main concern is federal funding for Phase II of the SunRail commuter service. Phase I is set to open May 1.

“Our number one priority is Phase II of SunRail. It would mean a lot to us and to the entire region,” said Seminole County Commission Chairman Bob Dallari, who is chairman of the MetroPlan Orlando Board.

Secretary Foxx’s visit to Orlando was intended to highlight public transportation’s role in strengthening local economies and creating the kind of “ladders of opportunity” that President Obama called for in his State of the Union address Jan. 21.

While in Orlando, Secretary Foxx also toured the nearly completed East-West LYMMO expansion project downtown and took part in a news conference with U.S. Representatives Corinne Brown and Alan Grayson at LYNX Central Station.

Secretary Foxx had praise for LYMMO and other projects in the area.

While he said he couldn’t comment directly on Phase II of SunRail at this time, he told the gathering: “We’re very impressed with what you’re doing – creating transportation choices.”