Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad is meeting local leaders throughout Central Florida today to discuss the stalled SunRail commuter rail project.
Prasad has already met with the Volusia County Council members in Daytona Beach where some 150 persons attended the one-hour workshop with most attendees supportive of the 61-mile project estimated to cost of $1.2 billion.
Other meetings are planned with the Seminole County Commission, City of Maitland, City of Orlando and the Orange County Commission. Prasad will hold his last meeting with the Osceola County Commission around 6:00 p.m. today.
Estimated to generate 13,500 new jobs through the construction, operation and maintenance phases, Gov. Rick Scott in March put the brakes on SunRail, saying he wanted to examine the commuter rail project to see if it fits his criteria of providing taxpayers an adequate return on their investment. In January, Scott froze four contracts for SunRail that were put out by the Department of Transportation totaling $235 million as part of his review of all agreements over $1 million.
In March earlier this year, Scott pulled the plug on a high speed rail project approved by lawmakers in 2009, by rejecting $2.4 billion in federal funds. The Tampa to Orlando high speed rail project was projected to generate 30,000 jobs in the near term.
Prasad, as he swings through the various cities and counties, has warned local officials that if SunRail goes ahead and counties come up short while operating the commuter rail line, there won’t be any bailout from the state.
Scott has said he’s reviewing the whole SunRail plan, which lawmakers approved in 2009. Asked what it is exactly he’s trying to find out with Prasad barnstorming counties in Central Florida, Scott said he wants to “understand the community support and opposition” and what, if anything, he has the power to do in relation to the proposed local rail system.
Scott is expected to make a decision on the project later this week, after discussing the outcomes of Prasad’s Central Florida meetings.   Sources say, Scott is leaning towards approving the project.
SunRail is expected to generate $1.56 billion in economic benefit, and Transit Oriented Development associated with the commuter rail line will bring more than 245,800 new jobs and $7.1 billion in economic benefit.
For additional information on SunRail and its job creation and economic development impact, go to www.SunRail.com.
