November 29, 2007

REP. MICA STATEMENT
Regarding the Commuter Rail Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the announcement of an $491 million agreement between Florida’s Department of Transportation (FDOT) and CSX Transportation (CSXT) regarding Central Florida’s commuter rail project today, U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL, 7th District) said:

“Not since the construction of I-4 has there been a transportation initiative of this magnitude in Central Florida. As more people and cars crowd our region, commuter rail will provide commuters with a cost-effective mass transit alternative to high gas prices and a congested and gridlocked I-4.

The execution of this agreement is a crucial step in the development of a cost-effective rail transit system.

This is a major cornerstone in the development of a true mass transit system for Central Florida. The commuter rail project has been planned and approved with the input of citizens and leaders from each of the four counties as well as the City of Orlando through public hearings, workshops and meetings.

The 61-mile system is scheduled to open the first phase of the project with rush-hour service from DeBary to Downtown Orlando. The federal government will pay 50% of the cost while the remaining half will be split between the State and local governments. Commuters could see service begin in 2010. Initial service will run between DeBary to Sand Lake Road in Orlando, which will be used as a transfer point to the Orlando International Airport. Central Florida joins 42 other communities around the U.S. that are developing and building new fixed guideway transit systems.

The leadership of Governor Crist, former Governor Bush, Florida’s Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos, CSX Chairman and CEO Michael Ward, and our State and local government has helped to make commuter rail and other new rail corridors a reality.”

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