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Transportation & Infrastructure

Darren will continue his longtime advocacy for greater infrastructure investment in our District.

First and foremost, he is engaging in critical oversight to help keep the I-4 Ultimate improvements on budget and on time, with an expected completion date of 2022. An expansion of Central Florida's main highway is long overdue and is critical to our future growth.

Second, he is closely monitoring SunRail Phase 2 which is set to open in early 2018 and will serve Meadow Woods, Buenaventura Lakes, Downtown Kissimmee and Poinciana. He is pushing for funding for SunRail Phase 3 to connect SunRail to Orlando International Airport.

Our vision is clear: with these projects, Central Floridians will finally have both rail and car options for their daily commute, and we will alleviate congestion on I-4!

Third, Darren will pursue a new control tower for the Kissimmee airport and a runway extension at Lake Wales along with local officials to continue to foster growth in these communities.

Fourth, Darren is fighting to fully fund and provide regulatory support to the multimodal center at Orlando International Airport which will serve as an international terminal, SunRail Station and Brightline Station.

Under this vision, one day soon, Central Floridians will be able to hop on at any SunRail Station, and take a plane for Orlando International anywhere or high speed train to West Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale, or Miami.

Fifth, Darren will continue to work with local and state leaders to bring new transportation options to Polk County, including the Central Polk Parkway or other alternatives. We must have additional transportation options beyond US 27 and US 17-92 to keep our community moving forward!

Finally, Darren supports the further development of Florida's ports in neighboring coastal areas to increase our export capacity for agricultural and manufactured products.

Photo by: Artystyk386License

Selected bills on transportation and infrastructure co-sponsored by Congressman Soto:

H.R.233 - Safe Freight Act of 2017 - this bill prohibits the operation of a freight train or light locomotive engine used in the movement of freight unless it has a crew of at least two individuals, one of whom is certified by the Federal Rail Administration as a locomotive operator and the other as a train conductor.