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Commuter Rail Gets FTA Green Light

Posted by Bob Gernert on August 11, 2008 at 12:17 pm

Congressman John Mica speaking at an Orlando news conference this morning, announced that that the Central Florida Commuter Rail project has received a Federal Transporation Administration (FTA) green light to proceed with final design. 

The project now joins only a few other “start up” plans from across the United States. Final Design authorizes preparation activities such as ordering rail cars, acquiring right-of-way, preparing final construction plans and soliciting bid documents and contracts. The announcement releases as much as $60 million for those purposes.

Joining Congressman Mica at the press conference was Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Stephanie C. Kopelousos.

You can read more here: mica-release.

The FTA go ahead leaves only the liability issue to be addressed. At the close of the 2008 legislative session in Tallahassee, Senator Paula Dockery led efforts to scuttle a liability agreement — an agreement similar to that in place with south Florida’s Tri-Rail — an agreement with liability caps equal to or less than the majority of plans in place across the U. S.

The successful implementation of Central Florida Commuter Rail is the first step toward a commuter link envisioned to one day extend from Jacksonville to Tampa.

The announcement was released by Jacob Stuart, president of the Central Florida Partnership.

See other entries filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Transportation