In addition to long term economic viability by stimulating transit oriented development, rail projects also spur as many or more short term construction jobs as anything else. Additional good news for Orlando's economy:
(http://www.sweetwaterwekivasprings.com/images/stories/0511/Business/LongwoodStation.jpg)
QuoteState set to buy SunRail tracks for $150 million
The much-delayed SunRail project could reach another milestone this week when the state buys 61 miles of track from the CSX railroad company for $150 million.
"That's the final step," said Roger Neiswender, Orlando's top SunRail consultant.
If the closing occurs as scheduled Thursday, the Florida Department of Transportation will be able to turn loose its contractors on the corridor to get it ready for the $1.2 billion commuter train.
"They can put people on the ground and put big yellow machines out there," said Jim Harrison, Orange County's top transportation manager.
Officials say the work will create 8,000 construction jobs, ranging from laborers to carpenters, track installers and drainage subcontractors. One of the prime tasks will be adding a second set of tracks in much of the corridor. In all, about 18 miles of additional track must be installed. Double-tracking allows trains to stay on schedule.
Contractors also will be building a signal system, concrete station platforms and a control center in Sanford, where Archer Western/Railworks has an office. Several road crossings would be upgraded, too. Calls to Archer Western/Railworks were not returned.
Work could begin in December, officials said. SunRail is scheduled to start running in late 2014.
QuoteSupporters contend more than 245,000 jobs from development around the stations will occur during the next 30 years.
Rida Development Corp. last week announced plans to build a $200 million development in downtown Orlando that would be linked to SunRail station at the Lynx bus headquarters.
full article: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-10-31/business/os-sunrail-tracks-purchase-20111031_1_sunrail-top-transportation-manager-railworks
That is fantastic Orlando. Jax has better infra structure and rail right of ways but we proposed painting buses like trains and building dedicated bus ways at twice the cost. Thank goodness Metrojacksonville.com put a stop to that.
I can't wait for the decision makers in Jax to finally learn what TOD is all about....too bad it's 2 decades late.
Quote from: thelakelander on November 03, 2011, 10:52:30 AM
In addition to long term economic viability by stimulating transit oriented development, rail projects also spur as many or more short term construction jobs as anything else. Additional good news for Orlando's economy:
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Petty little projects like Orlando's will be dwarfed by the explosion of building Jacksonville will experience now that $200,000,000 dollar developers can get in and build for a few thousand dollars less then before. Is there an echo in the room? Our lights are on but our house is missing!
OCKLAWAHA
QuoteCSX, State of Florida Close on SunRail Transaction
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - November 3, 2011 - CSX Corporation today completed the previously announced transaction with the State of Florida to sell a 61-mile rail corridor for the SunRail commuter railroad.
The commuter system is expected to begin initial operations in 2014 in a corridor along Interstate 4. SunRail will serve the Orlando area as well as Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties. Under the agreement, CSX will retain an exclusive freight easement to operate on the SunRail line in order to continue to provide all common carrier services to its customers.
"Today's closing represents a significant milestone in this public-private partnership that accommodates Central Florida's need for a transportation alternative to congested highways, while preserving and expanding environmentally friendly and efficient freight rail capacity," said Louis Renjel, vice president-strategic infrastructure.
Over the next eight years, CSX and its affiliates plan to invest $500 million into Florida rail infrastructure to support economic growth and job creation in the state. This investment is primarily supported by proceeds from the transaction.
This will reduce rail traffic on that line in Jacksonville. Leaving it open for say idunno commuter rail in Jax.
More indirect job creation stimulated by Sunrail on the way. This time, in the form of a CSX Central Florida railyard to serve relocated freight traffic.
QuoteCSX, DOT Close Deal for 61 Miles of Track for SunRail
Money from sale to fund company's planned rail terminal in Winter Haven.[/i]
TALLAHASSEE | The future Winter Haven CSX rail terminal got a little closer to reality Thursday, along with the jobs it will create.
The Florida Department of Transportation closed on the $173 million purchase of 61 miles of CSX railroad track that will be used by the Orlando commuter rail SunRail. The money from the sale will fund the rail terminal.
And CSX officials said, for the first time, construction will begin in the middle or second half of 2012.
A job opportunity fair scheduled for Nov. 10 has been postponed. "We wanted to make sure we have something that is worthwhile for them," CSX spokesman Gary Sease said Thursday.
The Winter Haven project has been contingent on the SunRail agreement, Sease said.
Winter Haven Mayor J.P. Powell said he's happy about Thursday's closing, even with the delay in hiring.
"This just means that we have to be more patient," he said. "Good things happen to those who wait."
Evansville Western Railway, the CSX subsidiary that will actually build the rail terminal, expects to create 800 construction-related jobs and has said it will use Polk County suppliers and subcontractors when possible.
Estimates for the project's total jobs impact have been as high as 6,000, counting jobs at the rail terminal and at a surrounding business park to be built on 932 acres around the terminal.
full article: http://www.theledger.com/article/20111103/NEWS/111109778?tc=cr
so wait....are you telling me that the state money that was given blindly to a private company is now being invested in Floirida and will spur economic development? Heresy!
Quote from: tufsu1 on November 04, 2011, 09:22:50 AM
so wait....are you telling me that the state money that was given blindly to a private company is now being invested in Floirida and will spur economic development? Heresy!
I don't think it was given blindly. I believe there were strings attached. Including the improvements to Jax rail lines near the port CSX promised.
I was being sarcastic...there are those (including Seantor Dockery) that felt it was a giveaway to the company
Fair enough.
Don't forget the other LOCAL companies that are making some money off of the SunRail project. ;-) Construction issue design documents are due in around the first of the year. The schedule is aggressive and the amount of companies and municipalities involved is massive.
The benefits are statewide. Just imagine this same scenario playing out in Jax. HUGE!!!!
Quote from: tufsu1 on November 04, 2011, 10:49:43 AM
I was being sarcastic...there are those (including Seantor Dockery) that felt it was a giveaway to the company
It definitely was a give-away...........that a liitle trickles down from this is still no excuse for the massive give-away of tax-payer dollars to mega corporations.
and here's the latest on plans for development around Sunrail Stations
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/seminole/os-sunrail-stations-development-20111126,0,2469757.story?page=1
(http://www.coloradospringstrolleys.com/images/TRE2.JPG)
Quote from: JeffreyS on November 03, 2011, 08:04:33 PM
This will reduce rail traffic on that line in Jacksonville. Leaving it open for say idunno commuter rail in Jax.
That would require thought, a commodity sorely lacking in Jacksonville. The "Jacksonville is just like Mayberry" crowd and their Tea-Party friends would storm the ramparts. Think about these people reproducing, in the next millennium as far as art, urban life and culture is concerned we'll have a bunch of idiots.
Hopefully Mayor Brown gets after commuter rail and streetcars, I see him as the one bright light in an otherwise vacant room, but the clock is ticking. As far as our city council is concerned, we now have living proof that the whipping post should never have been abandoned.
This is really very simple:
Implement the MOBILITY PLAN, but have projects lined up and developed on paper beforehand then we can hit the ground running.
Move the convention center and use that ONE BUILDING as a transportation center (including Greyhound).
Start commuter rail on the CSX A line with a small handfull of ex-Dallas RDC cars, ditto for the FEC line.
Bring Amtrak back downtown
Rebuild the S line and start hybrid commuter service at least as far as Airport Road.
Build streetcar from downtown into DEEP Riverside.
Wherever possible, develop private(retail, offices etc.) public PARK AND RIDE lots at every station and equally important get signage up at EVERY station directing both Freeway and surface arterial traffic to the trains. Example: Get rush hour messsages up on the new illuminated traffic information signs, "If you took our train, you'd be home by now!"
Lastly,
Get the Skyway into San Marco.
Oh well, the escape velocity from the rotating earth is only 7 miles per second.
OCKLAWAHA