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LaHood to Florida Legislature: “Get Your Act Together!”

In a stirring call to action Monday the country’s top transportation official, US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray H. 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 (Central Florida’s planned commuter rail line) and works quickly to develop a unified approach to rail transit statewide.

“There’s a commitment at the federal level to get into the passenger rail business like it never has before,” said Secretary LaHood. “But, the only way it will pay off is if the State Legislature gets its act together.”

The briefing session, hosted by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, U.S. Congresswoman Corrine Brown and U.S. Congressman John Mica offered the USDOT Secretary the opportunity 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 today,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy 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.”

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.

Last week, the State of Florida submitted its application for $2.5 billion to build and implement a 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 Mayor 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. I am hopeful that our state is ready to send an equally powerful message back to Washington - that Florida is ready to lead the way when it comes to rail transit.”