U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will join Florida officials on Monday to kick off phase one of SunRail, Central Florida’s first-ever commuter rail system.
The event, hosted by the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission and Florida Hospital, is being held at the site of Florida Hospital’s future station stop on the line–East Rollins Street and Sanitarium Avenue
LaHood will join FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Congressman John Mica, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad, and Florida Hospital President, COO Lars Houmann for the kick-off event.
Earlier this month, Gov. Rick Scott gave the green light on the 61-mile SunRail commuter rail project to go forward. Estimated to cost $1.2 billion, the rail system is projected to create 13,500 new jobs through the construction, operation and maintenance phases and some $1.6 billion in economic benefit. In addition, Transit Oriented Development associated with the commuter rail line is expected to bring more than 245,800 new jobs and $7.1 billion in economic benefit.
