Florida’s SunRail receives final U.S. DOT approval
Written by jrood
The SunRail commuter rail project moved from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the U.S. Congress. The DOT concluded its review of the project and has sent Congress a Full Funding Grant Agreement. Under law, Congress now has a 60-day review period of the SunRail FFGA. This action signifies that the DOT is ready to enter into a multi-year funding agreement with the State of Florida and provide federal funding to assist in constructing the SunRail project. The FFGA is the final step in securing the federal funding commitment for the project. The Federal Transit Administration's analysis of the project identified 10,800 jobs that will be generated directly by the construction and an estimated 150,000 future jobs resulting from transit-related corridor development. After the 60-day Congressional review period, the State of Florida and the FTA must then sign the multi-year funding agreement, which will assure the grantee predictable federal financial support for the project. SunRail is scheduled to be operational in 2014. After Congressional approval of the FFGA, Florida's Governor Rick Scott will make the final decision to move forward with SunRail. Rep. John Mica (R-FL), the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said, "I have consulted with Governor Scott and will work to ensure that approval of the Full Funding Grant Agreement by Congress coincides with his final review of the State's participation in the project. The FTA has confirmed that this project will have a positive impact on improving Central Florida transportation, employment and future development in our region."
