money All aboard! Brightline Orlando-Tampa train project gets show of support from Polk County
Polk County residents could one day hop on a high-speed train and travel to Tampa or Orlando, avoiding I-4 traffic, if a long-envisioned plan to extend a South Florida rail line comes through.
Polk leaders are hopeful it does. And as private company Florida Brightline LLC prepares to apply for a federal grant to help fund the extension, the Polk County Commission has agreed to offer a supportive hand.
Calling it a "vital" program that could reduce congestion and accidents on I-4, the commission voted Friday to send a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsing funding for Brightline through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program.
Brightline began operating a rail system in South Florida in 2018 with stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Construction to Orlando is underway, with plans to open in 2023.
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The company plans to apply for a federal grant by Nov. 23 seeking $31.8 million in funding to stretch the rail into Tampa. The letter from Polk will be included as part of the grant application.
The company vows to leverage an additional $15 million in private funding to implement "the long-awaited goal for the state of Florida," the letter says.
The rail line between Orlando and Tampa will include a stop in Polk County, said Commissioner George Lindsey, a strong supporter of the project.
"There will be a stop somewhere in Polk County," he told The Ledger a day before meeting. "It's premature to pick the location yet, but wherever it goes it will benefit all of Polk County. We want to encourage this. We are saying, 'Come on through and we will work with you the best we can.'"
The company did not request a funding commitment from Polk.
While Brightline leaders were not at Friday's commission workshop, they are scheduled to give a presentation before Polk's Transportation Planning Organization on Dec. 2.
County Manager Bill Beasley told commissioners Friday that in the coming weeks they can expect to get a private invitation to meet individually with Brightline representatives.
"That's where they will share with you ridership details and other details that are more secure at this moment," Beasley said.
In its pitch for a train between Tampa and Orlando, Polk's letter refers to the rapid population growth of Central Florida and the dangers of I-4.
"Central Florida is projected to experience significant growth over the next decade with an increase of more than 3 million people, which will impact the demands on the current transportation system," the letter says. "The only main highway connecting the region is I-4, which is already at capacity and rated as the deadliest road in America."
This project, the letter says, is "a critical step in providing a mobility option that will help sustain the region's economic growth and improve safety and the quality of life for residents and visitors.
"Advancing Brightline's service to Tampa will connect the five most densely populated counties in the state of Florida and create an intercity passenger rail spine that can connect to local and regional transit systems."
The letter to Buttigieg ends with, "I appreciate your consideration and respectfully request you consider this vital project for funding. Thank you for your time."
The letter requires a final vote at the Polk County Commission on Tuesday before it's submitted. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Polk Administration Complex, 330 W. Church St. in Bartow.
Dustin Wyatt covers Polk County government and county-wide issues. He can be reached at dwyatt@gannett.com or on Twitter @LLDustin_Wyatt.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Brightline project gets support from Polk commissioners
