With a new theme park, new hotels, and endless options for dining and experiences, it’s no wonder that Orlando is a major hotspot for vacations and tourists.
With all the interest in what this city has to offer, traffic and transportation have been a big question recently. Orlando recently had an interesting answer to the traffic issues in Florida. Let’s check it out!
SunRail is a train system that runs through Central Florida, connecting cities like Orlando, Sanford, and Kissimmee. It mainly serves the Downtown Orlando area and other surrounding suburbs but does not reach the Orlando International Airport, Disney World, or Universal Resort. But all that might change soon!
Orlando officials are looking to expand the SunRail! On Monday, the city council unanimously approved the funding and has chipped in $500,000 toward studying the proposed expansion. This expansion would allow the SunRail to go to those major spots that are currently not accessible by the train.
The council is hoping to get local governments and businesses to work together to pay for the $6 million study. This research is key to convincing the federal government to help fund what’s being called the Sunshine Corridor.
The two-year study will cover:
- Projected ridership numbers
- Maintenance and operational costs
- Environmental impact
- Potential station locations
- Track alignments
An early estimate suggests the full project will cost a whopping $4.4 billion.
Who’s On Board So Far?
- Seminole County already pledged its $500,000 last month.
- Orange County supports the idea and will discuss funding soon.
- Osceola and Volusia Counties haven’t committed yet.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has promised $2 million for the study—but only if other governments and private businesses step up to cover the remaining $4 million.
The expansion of SunRail is beneficial in many ways, but especially in eliminating any possible traffic issues by improving and expanding public transit.
We will be keeping our eyes peeled for any updates about this project so stay tuned to us here on AllEars!
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What do you think about this possible SunRail expansion? Let us know in the comments!
My daughter and her family live near Harrisburg, and whenever they fly to WDW, they land at the Sanford International Airport. Having a rail link from that airport to WDW would be great for them, as presently they need to hire a van for the 45-minute to one-hour drive.
Six million dollars just to study it??? I get the complexity of eminent domain in a rural setting let alone a metropolis but my lands, I am so out of touch. I did see a self cleaning kitty litter box selling for $700.00 at Best Buy. Shocked at the price of such a thing, I snapped a picture and texted it to a friend to only receive a picture of hers at home… I guess I’m the minority.
My thoughts exactly 6 million just for the study… I would like to see that broken down. With all the technology like maps, ai, etc should be cheap. I like the idea but if it’s going to take 2 years to conduct a STUDY which to me for that price should be done much sooner… I get it comes down to the money but sounds like a waste. Then before they even start to clear and buy land etc will probably take 20 years to build 🙄 just like the i4 ultimate waste of express lanes going the opposite location WITH poor entrance and exits. That should have started at the west disney/champions gate is the worst! ALSO the current sunrail is useless to me working during the week. The only time that I am able to ride it is on weekends and it doesn’t run… How does China, Japan, Europe. They have real high speed rail and we brag about sun rail and brightline…focus on transportation first than development this should have been done years ago… 🤷♂️