According to the Orlando Business Journal, Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is considering the backing of a major Orlando transit expansion.
Orlando Transit Expansion
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is the governing body which oversees the land of Walt Disney World Resort. The group is now considering the approval of a $500,000 support payment to a project which would study the development of a shared rail corridor that will be utilized by both commuter rail SunRail and the Brightline intercity rail service.
The total cost of the study will be around $6 million dollars. The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission has already received commitments of $2 million from both the Florida Department of Transportation and Universal Destinations & Experiences, as well as $500,000 each from the city of Orlando, Seminole County, and Osceola County.
The proposed expansion corridor would have stops at the Orlando International Airport along with stops at near the Orange County Convention Center and South International Drive.
Brightline would also be able to expand into Tampa, if approved.
Representatives were not available for immediate comment. However, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s board of supervisors is set to vote on the expense on March 28.
Disney and The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
The agreement between Walt Disney World and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District came about last year after the two entities reached a settlement in a lawsuit surrounding development agreements.
Per the 15-year agreement, Walt Disney World will invest $17 billion in the development of its properties in the Tourism Oversight District over the next 10 – 20 years. They must invest at least $8 billion within the first 10 years.
Disney will create a local business hiring program for all goods and services related to design, development, and construction along with funding a minimum of $10 million in attainable housing projects. The District will oversee the use of taxpayer funds.
SunRail Station at Disney Springs
Walt Disney World representatives have said they would be open to a SunRail station at Disney Springs. So, this potential expansion project could provide a way to make that possible along with travel to and from the Orlando International Airport.
This discussion comes after Brightline had previously proposed a Disney Springs station in 2019. The planned route changed and the Disney Springs station was canceled in 2022.
Do you think a SunRail station would add more convenience to the Walt Disney World Resort? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Source: Orlando Business Journal
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Are you kidding?? YES! And it would take so many cars off the road too to further alleviate traffic on I-4!
question. they have already studied it once for the last proposed expansion. now they have to study it again? talk about wasting money.