SunRail is on
the way. The long-awaited commuter rail service that will whisk
riders
from DeBary to Orlando is scheduled to start in late 2013.
SunRail is a
$1.2-billion commuter rail project that is being funded by federal,
state
and local governments including Volusia County. It is expected to
transport mostly
workers, but residents and visitors as well, across Central Florida
without having to drive on Interstate 4. Additionally, it is
projected to create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic
development along its route. The station in DeBary alone is expected
to stimulate growth around the surrounding area. Overall, SunRail is
projected to create more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“It has been a
long and winding road leading to the creation of SunRail,” said
Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno. “It’s a complex project traversing
several jurisdictions
and overcoming challenges of geography, right-of-way, economics,
politics and more. But it has been designed meticulously with
passenger safety, comfort and efficiency
in mind. SunRail has evolved and is an excellent concept that will
help address Central
Florida’s transportation challenges.”
Bruno is a
member of the Central Florida Rail Commission, which oversees the
project.
Initially, trains heading from DeBary will depart every 30 minutes
during peak morning commuter times and arrive back in DeBary every
30 minutes during the peak afternoon commuting times. Service will
be Monday through Friday. There will be no weekend service. Trains
will travel at a peak speed of 79 miles per hour, with an average
speed of 45 mph. That means the trip from DeBary to Sanford will be
about five minutes; 32 minutes to Winter Park; and 45 minutes to
Church Street Station in Orlando. Votran will offer bus service from
various points to the DeBary SunRail station.
When complete,
the SunRail will run along a 61-mile stretch of existing rail
freight
tracks in the four-county area. SunRail’s 31-mile first phase will
serve 12 stations, linking DeBary to Orlando. A DeLand station is
part of SunRail’s second phase.
The project’s
governing board is the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission.
It is chaired by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and includes Orange County
Mayor Teresa
Jacobs, Seminole County Commissioner Carlton Henley, and Osceola
County
Commissioner Brandon Arrington. Bruno represents Volusia County.
With traffic
congestion getting worse, SunRail will be a welcome alternative for
commuters. It is one element of a complex solution to Central
Florida traffic woes. That’s why the Florida Department of
Transportation, the federal government, Orange, Seminole, Volusia
and Osceola counties, and the City of Orlandoare investing in
SunRail. Volusia County Government’s share of the cost is $88
million over 30 years.
According to
the American Public Transit Association, traveling by public
transportation
uses less energy and produces less pollution than travel in private
vehicles.
For more
information and updates on SunRail go to:
sunrail.com.
