Us Railcar
If SunRail gets started, they may operate commuter trains like these. Florida Tri-Rail already has a set running between Miami and West Palm Beach. US Railcar says its DMU is the only design that fully complies with FRA equipment safety standards. These demonstrators are in Columbus, Ohio on October 14. After Colorado Railcar went bankrupt some two years ago, US Railcar bought the patents and tooling to start new carbuilder operations in Ohio.
Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., today met with fellow Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and several Florida State lawmakers in Washington to talk about the potential for billions in federal investment in high-speed rail in Florida. Senator LeMieux stressed that Florida’s chance for a multi-billion dollar boost from the USDOT is in jeopardy if the State Legislature doesn’t take action on SunRail and other commuter rail systems by the end of the year.
Three weeks earlier USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood urged the Florida Legislature to “Get your act together.”
“Shame on us if we don’t take advantage of this historic opportunity. The Federal government is ready to invest billions of dollars but they need a firm and long-term commitment from our state,” said LeMieux.
“Building commuter and high-speed rail lines will create thousands of jobs; it will stimulate our economy; and it will mean transformative change for our metropolitan areas.”
The Senators met with Senate President Jeff Atwater, Democrat Leader Al Lawson, and Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair J.D. Alexander.
“Florida’s senators stand together committed to helping our state construct high-speed rail. I commend Senators Atwater, Lawson, and Alexander for committing to pursuing this historic opportunity,” said LeMieux.
The USDOT has about $8 billion set aside from the federal stimulus funds for high-speed rail projects. There are currently more than 200 applications from 40 states. Florida is applying for funds for the existing designated high-speed rail corridors from Tampa to Orlando and from Orlando to Miami, and eventually to Jacksonville.
On October 5, LaHood told a crowd of rail transit supporters in Orlando that Florida risked losing out on billions for high speed rail unless its state legislature gets behind SunRail and work quickly to develop a unified approach to rail transit statewide. SunRail is Central Florida’s planned commuter rail line.
“There’s a commitment at the federal level to get into the passenger rail business like it never has before,” said LaHood, “but the only way it will pay off is if the state Legislature gets its act together.”
LaHood was speaking at a briefing session hosted by Florida Reps. Corrine Brown, D, John Mica and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who invited the USDOT Secretary to talk about the essential connectivity between plans for high speed rail and SunRail.
“I think Secretary LaHood was as blunt as he could possibly be,” said Dyer. “He sent a powerful message to our state legislators about the need for cooperation and partnership as we work together toward using these once in a generation transportation projects to shape our future and boost our economy.”
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SunRail, Central Florida’s first commuter rail line is “shovel ready” but needs approval from the Florida Legislature before construction can begin on the 61-mile system.
By October 2 Florida submitted its application for $2.5 billion to build and implement the high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando and start planning an $8 billion leg to Miami.
“SunRail and High Speed Rail are two, separate projects but they are part of one vision for a statewide rail network,” added Dyer. “The federal government has told us, loud and clear, that each project makes the other stronger, and both are critical to Florida’s future.”
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