SunRail Phase II Receives $93.4 Million FTA Grant

Florida's SunRail commuter rail received a $93.4 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to extend the 61-mile line. The grant will cover half the capital costs for the 17.2-mile extension from Orlando to Osceola County.

2 minute read

October 11, 2015, 9:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


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. 

Orlando Health/Amtrak Station

Attending was central Florida's congressional delegation and local leaders including House Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets Chairman John Mica (R), Representative Alan Grayson (D), Representative Corrine Brown (D), Representative Daniel Webster (R), Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (D), and representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) that operates SunRail, according to FTA's press release.

"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.

Monday, September 28, 2015 in Federal Transit Administration

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square