ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline’s plan to extend its passenger route past the Orlando Convention Center, Disney World, and down the wide median of Interstate 4 to Tampa got a public boost Wednesday with the announcement that the U.S. Department of Transportation would release a $15.875 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant.
The funding will support preliminary engineering activities and environmental approvals required to construct a rail system between Orlando International Airport and Tampa. Activities include completing 15% and 30% engineering design for a completely grade-separated, mostly double-tracked line built within the right-of-way of the I-4 median and other existing transportation corridors.
With a 50% match from Brightline, $31.75 million will be available.
The path that tracks would take from the airport to I-4 had been the subject of debate until Orlando civic leaders and the company revealed an agreement in principle to create a joint SunRail and Brightline “Sunshine Corridor” that would serve both the Convention Center and Disney World.
The slightly longer route was estimated to cost substantially more to construct than the direct path along Florida Highway 417 Brightline had originally envisioned. But including east-west commuter rail as part of the proposal opened up the opportunity for more public bond funding with private support [see, “Orlando businesses pledge $125 million for Brightline-SunRail joint route to Disney World,” News Wire, May 6, 2022]
In a statement released with news of Wednesday’s announcement, Brightline CEO Michael Reininger said the Sunshine corridor, “represents the missing link in Brightline’s plan to connect Orlando and Tampa with modern, eco-friendly, intercity passenger rail,” adding, “New, innovative transportation solutions will provide an economic boost to Central Florida and makes the state even more attractive to businesses and future residents.”
The CRISI application was filed before all of the route details between the airport and I-4 were hammered out, but the agreement may have played a role in winning the competitive grant. It also had bipartisan support from five members of Florida’s congressional delegation.
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