FLORIDA EAST COAST TRAINS COMING!

[thelakelander]

I will say when it comes to the I-4 corridor, we should place more emphasis on where commuters live and where they typically travel to, as opposed to what corridors have the most grade separations or can be designed for the highest speeds from point A to point B.  This thing reminds me of JTA's first BRT North Corridor down I-95.  Sure it gets you from downtown to Gateway the quickest.  The problem is that no one lives on I-95 and their are no major destinations on I-95.  Does time really matter if you don't provide efficient access to where your populace wants and needs to go? 

The same applies to the I-4 corridor.  Outside of tourist using this thing to get to the airports or Disney, its simply not set up for typical commuter uses because the actual cities outside of Tampa and Orlando aren't centered on I-4.  Nevertheless, this does not mean I'm ready to lead a protest against the tourist train.  If the Feds want to pay for it, so be it.  However, I'm just pointing out the obvious from the perspective of someone who spent +20 years living there.   As planners, designers and visionaries a lot of times we get caught up in the technical aspects of these projects.  Sometimes, its best to sit back and look at these issues from an end user's perspective or a pedestrian scale level. 

With that said, I can see how it will help a tourist get from OIA to Disney or I-Drive (assuming the mouse lets them have a station).  But now for the tough questions.  How much will the average fare be?  How does it serve rapidly growing bedroom communities like Plant City, Lakeland, Haines City and the Four Corners?  What can it do for the residents of Kissimmee or Tampa's booming suburbs of Brandon and Bloomingdale?  Is this train supposed to relieve traffic congestion on I-4?  If so, how can it be set up to remove local traffic these communities generate from the interstate on a day-to-day basis?

The other major problem I have with the fun train is costs.  I believe its best to crawl before you run.  In other words, maybe your first car should be a used one or fairly affordable instead of a lamborghini.  The opposition to rail in this state is obvious.  Dropping $3 billion on a HSR line that will not serve the daily needs of nearby residents is a huge risk to take for anyone who truly backs mass transit.  If this thing fails, we can flush the idea of rail investment in Florida down the drain because it will set us back for decades.  Don't believe so, then take a drive to downtown Jacksonville.  The skyway is the perfect example of trying to run before walking, falling flat on your face and then being to scared to leave the crib again.

[CS Foltz]

Well if FDOT is involved it will be bolluxed for sure.....only thing they are good for is asphalt and not too good at that looking at some of their designs for intersections!

[Lunican]

So, you don't think we can accomplish both simultaneously? God knows we sure do need the jobs!

I don't even think we can accomplish one let alone both. There is very limited money available for high speed rail funding. If Florida actually gets any money, it would make more sense to provide 90mph service to the entire state rather than a super high speed line between Tampa and Orlando.

[Ocklawaha]

Well, well, well, now I'm 5 for 5? Wow, Lake, Stephen, damn we're good! Just looked at the details of the FDOT Florida East Coast phase in plan. I stated on this thread I wouldn't support MMHSR (Mickey Mouse High Speed Rail) until we have a network of corridors with 5 trains daily, EACH WAY with Amtrak or conventionall passenger carriers.

The State says it will ask Amtrak to split the Silver Meteor and Star in Jacksonville Terminal and send a section of each south on the FEC and the other section to Orlando and Tampa on the CSX. Then for good measure they think we need 3 more INTRASTATE trains, running from Jacksonville to Miami daily... Count em and weep, that's 5 daily each way!



Sanford, then and now on the South Florida - CSX.

They also claim the money they are asking for will get most of the route up to 90 MPH. TUFSU1 has stated that there is no way to squeeze any more speed out of the CSX from Orlando to Tampa. Sorry old friend, but if the one time narrow gauge line, with tortured and twisting curves, from Bunnell (Palm Coast) to Daytona, can be sped to 90 mph, we ought to be able to make the one time narrow gauge CSX line, from Orlando to Tampa, fly!

OCKLAWAHA

[CS Foltz]

Ock............your Crystal ball must be really top of the line big guy!

[tufsu1]

You mean, the guy with 40 years experience knew what the hell he was talking about, but all the people with zero years didnt?

so the folks at FDOT have zero years of experience...but got ir right anyway?

[FayeforCure]

You mean, the guy with 40 years experience knew what the hell he was talking about, but all the people with zero years didnt?

so the folks at FDOT have zero years of experience...but got ir right anyway?

Ain't that something!

We've been wanting to get the so-called "newbies" to support rail big time, and here they are,.........ready to go.

Hmmmm, fortunately the expertise sits in many places and that's the way it ought to be. It's a good thing so many are catching on. Even a fresh look is welcome, and in the case of innovation, it is absolutely indispensable.

That's why brainstorming has worked so well over the years. It takes the expertise of many.

[JeffreyS]

This is an exciting announcement Amtrak expansion gives this state more bang for the buck.

[JeffreyS]

Would this end up increasing the number of trains going to Savanna?

[fsujax]

^^No, we need to also try and get the Palmetto expanded to Jacksonville. That is a NYC to Savannah train.