COLUMN: Backtrack on SunRail
By Joel Engelhardt
Palm Beach Post Editorial Writer
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
It began as the Central Florida Commuter Rail. Last year, the proposed Orlando-area line went to a snappier name: SunRail. Now, it is seeking federal stimulus money under the name Central Florida Rail Passenger Corridor.
Whatever you call it, the proposed commuter rail line is erroneously trying to tap President Obama's vision for a network of high-speed rail projects linking American cities. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offers $8 billion to the best proposals. Ultimately, President Obama envisions a network of bullet trains to rival President Eisenhower's interstate highway system. The feds last week received 260 applications from 34 states seeking $57 billion.
Florida is so excited about getting its long-mothballed bullet train built that the state ponied up for not just one but four applications. The state believes that it can compete with California, Illinois, and others with a near-shovel-ready, $2.5 billion high-speed line between Orlando and Tampa.
The train would meet the classic definition of high-speed rail, with uninterrupted tracks and trains capable of 180 mph. Commuters could avoid the crowded Interstate 4 corridor for trips to airports, jobs or Disney World, which offered 50 acres for a station.
The second application is for $30 million to start planning the state's other grand high-speed rail experiment: Orlando to Miami. Don't worry. They no longer are talking about routing the trains through the Everglades. Somehow, the state believes that there's room along, or above, Interstate 95 or Florida's Turnpike.
A third application seeks $268 million to bring local Amtrak passenger service to the Florida East Coast Railway between Jacksonville and Miami. This would have the added attraction, and huge local benefit, of paying for the long-sought linkage between the FEC and CSX tracks in West Palm Beach. If Tri-Rail survives the Legislature's failure to provide permanent financing, it could take advantage of that connection to go north to Jupiter and the Treasure Coast.
Then there's SunRail. How did the much-maligned, hugely expensive Orlando-area commuter rail get lumped into a federal application that specifically excludes commuter rails? The state applied under Track 1 for "high-speed intercity passenger rail," defined as "rail passenger transportation ***except commuter rail passenger transportation.***"
First, the state changed SunRail's name, figuring that no one would notice the commuter aspect of something called the Central Florida Rail Passenger Corridor.
Second, the state argued that the $270 million grant would enhance service between Orlando and Jacksonville.
Finally, the state said that the project would play a critical role in reducing congestion by linking up with the Orlando-to-Tampa bullet train. Don't worry that there are no points of connection. That's where the rubber meets the road. Literally. The state suggests "initially utilizing rubber tire service."
At a conference in Orlando on Monday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, flanked by SunRail backer U.S. Rep. Dan Mica - a Republican who represents the Orlando area - let himself be pulled into the legislative fray over SunRail, telling the Legislature "You've got to get your act together," according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Mr. LaHood is right, but not for the reasons he believes. The Legislature is blocking SunRail over a liability issue but the real problem is that the state is paying too much - $615 million. The fight has spread. If SunRail dies, its supporters are dead set on taking down Tri-Rail. Mr. LaHood's transit administrator Peter Rogoff told the Sentinel, "We are hearing noises that distress us greatly" concerning the threat to Tri-Rail.
By whatever name, SunRail no longer threatens only Tri-Rail. Now, the boondoggle stands to end the state's bullet-train dream.
Joel Engelhardt is an editorial writer for The Palm Beach Post. His e-mail address is joel_engelhardt@pbpost.com
Find this article at:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2009/10/07/a12a_engelhardtcol_1008.html
So how does Joel Englehardt define Sunrail as a boondoggle? If he thinks it costs too much as he states that is certainly worth debate but is anyone debating it has much support and the ridership studies? The supporters are trying to use Tri-rail and the bullet train to make Sunrail go but they are not trying to "take down"the other projects.
Sunrail and HSR is two different systems......one is urban and the other between cities! No comparison other than both move people which is the point of "Mass Transit"!
If something that is $615 million is labeled a boondoggle then what do you call a $2.5 billion project thats only 20 miles longer? The whole Central Florida situation is nothing more than a political firefight that has nothing to do with how transit should be designed and best utilized to serve our communities.
What's funny is when you actullay read the application it has Jacksoville written all over it for a Phaese II project. Look at the maps and text. Until now Jacksonville wasn't even mentioned in their project.
$270 million wouldn't build a Courthouse, so I have my doubts how much enhancement we'd get for it. Pretty darn sad, the "know" Jacksonville, is so out of the game, all they need to do is troll the trailer park with a dollar bill and see who follows...
OCKLAWAHA
the $265 million is the 50% Federal share Florida is requesting for Phase 1....the total project cost is cloer to $700 million for all phases
The way this is developing there wil not be enough money to fund anything fully! Where oh where is the dedicated funding needed?
FSUJAX, how about post a link to that "Jacksonville" data...
Thanks
OCKLAWAHA
Here's the link
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/economicstimulus/
just click on the Amtrak-FEC Application