Federal budget cuts could delay the second construction phase of central Florida’s SunRail commuter train, which is scheduled for this summer and would cost around $80 million.
Phase 1 of the line, scheduled to open in May, runs from Debary in Volusia County to Sand Lake Road in Orange County and runs through Orlando. Phase 2 would extend farther north in Volusia County and south into Osceola County. The entire line would run 62 miles and include 17 stations. The total cost of SunRail is expected to be $1.2 billion.
According to projections, the added stations will have the highest ridership.
The train will be the first train in the area, where the population is estimated to grow 70% by 2030. Florida DOT and the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce are currently garnering the attention of citizens of central Florida as well as businesses to both push the project in Washington and encourage workers to ride SunRail.
If SunRail is not on the 2014 federal budget, Phase 2 may be spread out over the next two fiscal years, which clashes with current construction plans.
