Update from Tampa

[fsujax]

Yeah, it is very confusing to me and it makes me feel like the folks who are planning this stuff in Jacksonville seem to have a better grasp of the realities.

[thelakelander]

My solution would be to for them to switch their LRT and BRT alignments in that corridor.  Run LRT up Nebraska/Busch/30th Street, etc. to pick up Busch Gardens between DT and USF.  Then run BRT up 22nd or 40th through East Tampa.  Another consideration would be to run BRT E/W down Hillsborough or MLK (formerly Buffalo), instead of paralleling LRT.

[tufsu1]

Here's a summary of both sides of the argument from Tampa

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/oct/01/041355/both-sides-of-hillsborough-transit-tax-issue-see-e/

[billy]

Whre can one find a map of proposed routes?

[yapp1850]

gohartaa.org

[tufsu1]

http://www.gohartaa.org/

[Jumpinjack]

Senator Nelson's office announced today Florida to get $800 million more to complete line between Orlando and Tampa.

By Tom Palmer
THE LEDGER

Published: Monday, October 25, 2010 at 11:52 a.m.
LAKELAND | U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson's office today announced Florida will get an additional $800 million in federal money to help pay for construction of a high-speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando.

Nelson, D-Florida, said he was informed of the grant by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Florida officals had applied for the grant, which will require a 20 percent match by the state, last summer. That money comes on top of the $1.25 billion President Barack Obama had already announced the project was receive.

The rail line, which will include a stop somewhere in Lakeland, could be the first-ever high-speed rail project in the United States. Construction of the Tampa-Orlando route is scheduled to begin by 2012, and it is to begin operating in 2015.

The new financial award means Florida only needs approximately $300 million more from the federal government, in addition to the state's share of funding, to complete the $2.6 billion project, Nelson's office said, and adding the remaining federal funds could come next year.

“This is fantastic news for Florida,” Nelson said. “This will ensure the state remains full speed ahead with high-speed rail construction. As I've said many times, high-speed rail will be a game changer for Florida's economy, along the likes of the Interstate system and Disney.”

Federal transportation officials also notified Congress today of the department's intent to award an $8 million planning grant for a proposed high-speed rail line between Orlando and Miami.

Meanwhile, Florida Department of Transportation officials are scheduled to announce the location of the Lakeland stop in early December.

[tufsu1]

this is from the next round of "high speed" rail funding....hopefully there will still be enough money for the Amtrak on FEC project (grant request was for $275 million).

[Ocklawaha]

This is the "NEW STARTS" map published by HART in Tampa. Add parallel BRT, then a riderless HIGH SPEED TRAIN that doesn't terminate at the UNION STATION and Tampa IS DOING SOMETHING, and it's probably worse then JTA. But what does one expect from the city where Florida get's all of their transportation savvy... CUTR AND THE NATIONAL BRT INSTITUTE at USF. Go team, I suspect one of our regular transit posters might have some USF feelings.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

I just love how they drew LRT corridors right on top of active CSX lines.  Fat chance of that happening and shame on the planners for not recognizing that LRT and freight rail don't mix....eight years ago.

[tufsu1]

Lake, it is worse than that....the CSX route line was initially drawn almost 15 years ago

That said, at the time freight rail was down...and CSX had made overtures about selling the ROW...which of course is still on the table (just $700 million for 95+ miles).

[thelakelander]

$7.4 million/mile?  How busy is that freight line?  I wonder if a profit from serving industrial customers along that corridor could be generated by purchasing it?  Then go with DMUs instead of traditional LRT (aka Oceanside Sprinter, Austin Metrorail, New Jersey RiverLine).  That option would be cheaper than whats currently being considered and would bring in higher revenue.  Btw, we could do the same thing with the S-Line, relieving our port logistics problem in the process.

[tufsu1]

my understanding is that the exact cost has not been determined....HART is using the SunRail deal as an estimate

[thelakelander]

Wow.  They don't have real numbers and they're asking for a tax increase to fund this stuff? Maybe its just me but they appear to be doing things backwards.

[fsujax]

yes. they are. We are actually pretty far ahead of them believe it or not! we are building our case and doing our due diligence!