2/25/2013

Federal Legislation & Regulation Article
SunRail commuter-rail line to receive another $87.3 million in federal funds

Central Florida's SunRail commuter-rail line project has picked up another $87.3 million in federal funding, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff announced Friday during a visit to the project's Florida Hospital station construction site.

In July 2011, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) signed a grant agreement committing $178.6 million in New Starts funds, which represents 50 percent of the total project cost. The funds announced last week bring the agency's total allocations so far to $148.5 million in fiscal-year 2012 and prior-year New Starts funds, FTA officials said in a prepared statement.

The hospital station is one of 12 stations planned for the first phase of the 32-mile SunRail line. Rogoff visited the construction site to highlight the economic impact that investments in public transportation can create, he said in a press release. Construction on the line — which will parallel the Interstate 4 corridor in Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties — has put about 800 people to work and spurred a $250 million investment in a 176-acre "Health Village" at Florida Hospital, FTA officials said.

"President Obama is committed to making the necessary investments in our transportation infrastructure to grow our economy from the middle class outward and reduce our reliance on foreign oil," said Rogoff. "The SunRail commuter line will do just that by connecting residents from DeBary to Sand Lake Road with the jobs and services they need, while opening doors to new opportunities across Central Florida."