SunRail Phase II Receives $93.4 Million FTA Grant

The Sept. 28 ceremony in Kissimmee, Fla., where Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator Therese McMillan signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement for a $93.4 million federal grant, was a truly bipartisan event. 

"The 17.2-mile Phase II South commuter rail line extension [PDF] will extend service from south of Orlando through Kissimmee to Poinciana in Osceola County," writes Steven Taubenkibel for FTA.

The project will improve transit service to regional employment, entertainment, cultural and retail destinations, including the Orlando Central Business District, and through transit connections to the Orlando International Airport, Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, and the Lake Nona mixed-use commercial community.

"Officials said the Full Funding Grant Agreement commits $93.4 million in funding from FTA’s Capital Investment Grant Program," writes Michael Lopardi of WFTV. "The funding amount represents roughly half of the project's $186.9 million estimated total cost. The remaining costs are covered by the state of Florida and Orange and Osceola counties."

The project will include four new commuter rail stations -- Meadow Woods in Orange County and Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee Amtrak and Poinciana in Osceola County -- the purchase of two locomotives and four passenger cars and the construction of a vehicle storage and maintenance facility

The 61-mile commuter rail line launched in 2014. The project was considered controversial in its early formation due to CSX Railroad as noted here in 2011.

 "SunRail is Florida's second commuter rail system after South Florida's Tri-Rail," according to Wikipedia.

Hat tip to AASHTO Journal.