Yesterday, during a Special Session, the Florida Senate passed a comprehensive rail transit policy for the State of Florida, this approval follows passage by the Florida House on Monday.
By a vote of 27 – 10 the Florida Senate approved this groundbreaking legislation that would serve as the building blocks for Florida’s transportation future. “A hundred years ago, Henry Flagler’s railroad brought Florida into the modern age and laid the foundation for the Florida we live in today. A century later, a new kind of rail transit has arrived in the State of Florida – a transit system that sets the State on course for a more prosperous future for generations to come,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Chairman of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission.
The most immediate impact of the vote will be the construction of Central Florida’s SunRail line. The construction of 61-mile SunRail project is projected to create nearly 10,000 jobs almost immediately , with more than 250,000 in new jobs and about $8.8 billion in economic benefit over 25 years.
This landmark legislation also sets the stage for Florida to leverage billions of federal dollars to build high speed rail line. Earlier this year, President Obama allocated 8 billion dollars in federal funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for transportation projects across the country. The Florida Department of Transportation has applied for 2.5 billion dollars of this funding for high speed rail to connect Orlando and Tampa and lay the groundwork for an Orlando to Miami corridor. The federal government is expected to announce funding recipients early next year.
“Today, the Florida Legislature put the interests of Floridians first by supporting commuter rail in Central and South Florida,” said Senator LeMieux. “With support for rail from the state, Florida’s chances of winning federal high-speed rail money greatly improve. A high-speed rail corridor will put Floridians to work, it will drive economic development and create new mega-corridors of activity beneficial to our state. I thank Governor Crist, President Atwater, and Speaker Cretul for their leadership and working to make Florida’s vision of creating a high-speed rail network a reality. I also appreciate Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s unwavering commitment to the project through his role as Chairman of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission Board of Directors.”
“This groundbreaking accomplishment is a testament to the cooperation and partnership that began in Central Florida with historic, unanimous support for SunRail and ultimately developed between communities and elected leaders around our state who shared our vision for the transformational power of rail transit,” added Dyer. “I want to thank the members of the Florida Legislature who supported this bill for thier bipartisan support.”
tO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I WILL LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING CONSTRUCTION FOR OVER 15 YEARS BUILDING HO– — USES,SIDE WALKS ETC,ETC.tHE REASON FOR THIS SHORT LETTER IS TO FIND OUT AN WERE TO APPLY FOR CONSTRUCTION JOBS FOR NEW RAI PROYECT BETWEEN ORLANDO TAMPA I LIVE IN ORLANDO FO.tHANK YOU E MAIL ADDRESS [email protected]
To Whom It May Concern:
I live in Orlando, Florida. I am very interested in working for such a big project. I am looking to work with any Architectural firms that are involve in this project. I have about 12 years in the Architecture/Construction field. Looking to assist any architects, engineers or others with Cadd drafting, Construction documentation and Administration as well. Will like to find out where to apply. Thanks a lot. My emai address is [email protected]