- April 25, 2024
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The SunRail commuter train would link Orlando with Volusia and Osceola counties, spanning 61.5 miles at a $1.2 billion price tag.
Flagler County is named after Henry Flagler, a railroad developer and essentially the founder Florida’s east coast through the Florida East Coast Railway; someday in the future, trains could play a large part of Flagler County’s infrastructure if the proposed SunRail project becomes a reality.
The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution in support of the SunRail Monday, April 4, at its regular meeting, after officials with the Volusia Transportation Planning Organization reached out to Flagler County to help convince Gov. Rick Scott of its importance.
However, on March 11, Scott put a hold on the $1.2 billion project, stating he wants more time to review the proposed 61.5-mile system that would link Orlando with Volusia and Osceola counties. Flagler County isn’t included in the current design, but could be in the future, and commissioners still think it’s important for Flagler to expand its transportation infrastructure.
“I’m a huge fan of a road diet,” said County Commissioner Milissa Holland, stating she’s in support of the SunRail, adding: “We’re not in the place for (transit systems) in Flagler County and maybe not for years; but these types of projects take a tremendous amount of time and years to get through.”
The County Commission wasn’t asked to contribute any money to Volusia County; it was asked to show support to begin the first phase of the project, which was supposed to begin this month.
The first phase would link DeBary to Sand Lake Road, spanning 12 stations and 31 miles.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation’s website, the SunRail is expected to generate nearly 260,000 jobs and an estimated $8.8 billion in earnings within 20 to 30 years.
Members of the public weren’t so convinced, however, that the SunRail was such a good idea.
Ron Radford, a Palm Coast resident, said he lived in New York City for more than 60 years, and used the transit system there. He said it’s not profitable.
“I know that we want to provide transportation here in Florida, but I do not think that government getting into transportation really is beneficial,” he said. “It doesn’t work; it hasn’t worked; and I don’t think it will work.”
Doug Baxter, president of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates, spoke as a Palm Coast resident and previous resident of Melbourne, Australia. Melbourne has the second-largest rail station in the world, Baxter said.
“We have to look at alternatives,” Baxter said. “With gas prices going up, this will be fantastic for us and neighboring communities.”
Commissioner Nate McLaughlin said, “The question we have to ask ourselves for the future is ‘Do we want to keep adding lanes or do we want to have a single lane we can put more people on?’”
Added Commissioner Barbara Revels, “I would love before I get too old to be able to hop on a railroad and travel across the state.”
If approved, the SunRail is anticipated to begin service by 2013, according to www.sunrail.com.
