SunRail Phase Two - Gaining Steam

[spuwho]

SunRail Phase 2 design gaining steam



Work is happening behind the scenes on the second phase of SunRail, Central Florida's $1.3 billion commuter rail.

Anjali Fluker
Senior Staff Writer-
Orlando Business Journal

This weekend, the public got to take its first steps on a SunRail train — a taste of what's still coming down the track.
The first phase of the $1.3 billion commuter rail system will begin operations on May 1 from DeBary in Volusia County to Sand Lake Road in Orange County. And though Phase 2 still is awaiting federal government approval, work is underway behind the scenes in preparation for its 2016 debut.
When the train starts running next spring, it's expected to help alleviate traffic on Interstate 4 that likely will worsen when the Florida Department of Transportation starts work on its $2.1 billion overhaul. Experts also said public transit helps improve employee productivity, since people don't have to deal with the stress of long commutes, and it helps employers get better access to worker pools in other parts of the region.
The remaining portion of the SunRail system includes the south alignment, which will run from Sand Lake Road to Poinciana in Osceola County, and the north alignment, the final rung from DeBary to DeLand.
Some work happening on the second phase of Central Florida's commuter rail includes:
About 60 percent of the station design on the south alignment is complete and being reviewed by the state transportation department.
The state is updating its application for the north alignment with plans to submit it to the Federal Transportation Administration by mid-November.

[Kerry]

Too bad the tracks don't go all the way to Daytona Beach.

[icarus]

I think they are using existing track and right of way of CSX's A line.  Unfortunately, Deland is as close to Daytona as that line runs. They would have to acquire right of way and lay new lines to reach Daytona.

[spuwho]

As noted by Ocklawaha in another forum...The FEC tore out the New Smyrna - Deland secondary many years ago.

FL44 sits on most of the old ROW today.

[thelakelander]

They can just run an express bus from Deland to Daytona.  It's not that bad of ride on US 92.

[Kerry]

I wonder if there is any right of way available on I-4.  The New Mexico Rail Runner goes down the center of I-25.  Here is one of my favorite videos of it blowing by cars on the interstate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx_7K_W4A1I

[tufsu1]

^ yes...there is plenty....the master plan for I-4 south of Orlando was designed for 6 general use lanes, 4 special lanes, and a rail envelope in the median

[spuwho]

I wonder if there is any right of way available on I-4.  The New Mexico Rail Runner goes down the center of I-25.  Here is one of my favorite videos of it blowing by cars on the interstate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx_7K_W4A1I

Pretty soon you will see something similar on the Beachline Tollway when AAF comes through. Probably 2015.