Provisions in CSX Deal Ease City's Opposition

[thelakelander]

Depending on how things turn out, this may make it easier for commuter rail to happen in Jacksonville.

By Joe Follick
LEDGER Tallahassee Bureau

TALLAHASSEE | Last year's must-see legislative battle can't even fill a room this year, as House lawmakers Wednesday methodically moved toward approving a controversial commuter rail system through greater Orlando.

The two largest opponents of the plan have dropped out of the battle.

Trial lawyers were angered last year by limits on lawsuits triggered by negligent employees contracted by the state to work on the railroad.

But the powerful lobbying group dropped its opposition when that provision was removed. And Lakeland officials said Wednesday that new provisions in the bill to require the state to work toward moving displaced freight train traffic out of the city's downtown had soothed their concerns.

The new provision promises that increased freight traffic channeled through Lakeland because of the new commuter rail system will be "eliminated" within eight years of SunRail's start, which is estimated to be in 2011.

full article: http://www.theledger.com/article/20090218/NEWS/902180362/1410?Title=Provisions-in-CSX-Deal-Ease-City-s-Opposition

[JeffreyS]

Great job Lakeland that is why you fight they now get what they need and the project moves forward.

[tufsu1]

maybe...but I think it more likely that they figured out they would be steamrolled this year and decided to back off.

[JeffreyS]

It looks to me like Lakeland won some concessions.

[FayeforCure]

In order for there to be money for jax rail, one should consider the expense of the Central Florida Commuter Rail project. From  a Febr. 9th article:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/feb/08/co-shadowy-rail-deal-needs-good-scrubbing/news-opinion-editorials/

As it now stands, Florida would buy 61 miles of CSX's A-Line, one of two major rail lines between Jacksonville and Central Florida. Most of the day the track would serve commuter trains, but CSX would lease it to run freight during off-peak hours. Under the complicated deal, the state would also pay for improvements along the railroad's S-Line, north-south tracks down the spine of Florida. This would allow CSX to shift freight trains out of Orlando and send them through downtown Lakeland and Plant City to a proposed 318-acre hub in Winter Haven.

For CSX it's a win-win. The railroad gets improved freight-rail lines and taxpayers foot the bill. And that bill keeps growing.

Initially, former Gov. Jeb Bush committed $491 million to the CSX deal - $150 million for the tracks and $341 million for the hub and track improvements through the state's backwoods. The estimate has since jumped to $641 million because of needed rail overpasses in Alachua, Ocala and Wildwood.

Proponents of the plan, such as Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, admit the project would be an easier sell if the freight-line improvements were not part of it, but they obviously believe CSX would not be interested in selling the track without the extra benefits.

Nevertheless, before lawmakers put taxpayers on the hook, they should try to renegotiate.

DOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousis has said the commuter rail project and proposed improvements to the S-line are not linked. If that's correct, then the state should sever the apparent connection. The state already has the money appropriated to buy the land and tracks for rail, and it still would be a good deal to CSX - one of the most expensive rail sales ever.

And here is a better overview of the total costs associated with the Central Florida Commuter rail. For what can definitely be saved off of this project, Jacksonville could get started on theirs:

For the rails, the state would pay $641 million. Another $615 million in taxpayer money is needed for the capital costs of constructing the stations, double-tracking the line and installing proper signaling and switching equipment.

DOT District 5 Secretary Noranne Downs disputes the deal will cost $1.2 billion. She says it’s not fair to count the $209 million that taxpayers will spend to build five overpasses in North-Central Florida to accommodate the railroad’s long-haul, double-decker freight trains. But if not connected to the rail sale, why were these overpasses included in the purchase agreement’s term sheet?

During a visit to the Lakeland Ledger’s Editorial Board, CSX officials also discussed the cost of the $1.2 billion rail sale, which Winter Park City Commissioner Beth Dillaha rightly pegs at $1.4 billion â€" before operating and maintenance costs, or the cost of assuming unlimited liability.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20090209/COLUMNISTS/902090309?Title=CSX__Commuter_Rail__Let_Us_See_Clearly

[thelakelander]

High Costs for Rerouting CSX Freight Trains Are Revealed

WINTER HAVEN | Rerouting freight trains around Lakeland would cost between $638 million and $1.3 billion, a Florida Department of Transportation consultant said Wednesday.

The study also looked at potential passenger rail alternatives, including extending commuter rail service into Polk County.

That idea is gaining support. On Monday, the Central Florida Department Council approved a resolution supporting the extension of the proposed SunRail route now planned from DeLand to Poinciana. With the extension, the route would end in Haines City.

CSX representative Bob O'Malley said the railroad would be willing to discuss some of the alternatives, but made it clear CSX is not interested in any routes that would go through the Mulberry and phosphate mining areas.

full article: http://www.theledger.com/article/20090225/NEWS/902250338/1134?Title=High-Costs-for-Rerouting-CSX-Freight-Trains-Are-Revealed

[Ocklawaha]

If we are ever to restore some of our fast passenger train routes of the past, they MUST choose from the alternatives 1A or 1B (Wildwood-Auburndale). Sadly with this States head stuck 10' deep in asphalt and concrete this probably means those are the two alternatives they'll reject first!

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

Wildwood-Auburndale is really the only one that makes sense for both passenger service and CSX.  However, the question is, is will the state be willing to build it back, because CSX is definitely not interested.  I can't believe these guys got paid over $700k for this.

[Ocklawaha]

They ought to just quit messing around and run Sunrail right on through to St. Petersburg. While we're spending ourselves rich, go ahead and lay in the 2nd or 3rd main track and signals and open her up. Why is it that California can "imagine" in Statewide concepts San Diego-LA-San Francisco, and Florida nibbles along one baby bite at a time.

SPACE, THE LAST FRONTIER...

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

The way I see it, Sunrail is Florida's version of Metrolink or the San Deigo Coaster.  What's missing is the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or the Capitol Corridor to tie the local systems together.  So I think Sunrail is fine, but a statewide corridor service (using the same line with more limited stops) would be superior than building HSR in the middle of I-4.

Other than that, turning Sunrail into a Caltrain style commuter rail service between Tampa and Orlando also has merit.  Local trains could then run to serve more stops and limited stop, high speed express trains could cover the ground of the HSR proposal, all on the same track.

[Ocklawaha]

The entire corridor from the Deland Station to the old station in St. Pete is only 172 miles. The last 47 miles are spent going over and around Tampa Bay. With that type of looping route it wouldn't carry much through traffic, but Amtrak from the far north and local traffic to Safety Harbour-Clearwater-Largo would benefit. If the state ended it in Tampa with a streetcar or LRT connection over the bay to St. Pete, then the corridor shrinks to 125 miles. The highly successful California Capital Corridor is about 110 miles.

OCKLAWAHA