SunRail Heads to Osceola County With DOT Funds

Three Central Florida Democrats in Congress--U.S. Reps. Val Demings, Stephanie Murphy and Darren Soto--announced on Thursday that the U.S. Department of Transportation is sending $16 million to extend SunRail.

The federal money will go to complete SunRail's Phase 2 South Project taking the railway south of Orlando into Osceola County including Kissimmee and Poinciana. The 17.2 extension will add four news stops and link Sand Lake Road in Orange County to Poinciana in Osceola County. The funds were approved by Congress last May as part of the Fiscal Year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The extension is expected to be finished sometime this summer.

The three Democrats--all of whom are serving their first terms in Congress--insisted extending SunRail will help Central Florida.

"Securing SunRail funding and improving Central Florida's transportation infrastructure has been one of our top priorities in Congress, for both my office and the Central Florida congressional delegation," Soto said on Thursday. "I am ecstatic to see this project advance as it will help our residents and commuters in Central Florida, all the way from Orange County down through Kissimmee and to Poinciana."

"Since arriving in Congress, we've been laser-focused on delivering results for our central Florida community, including funding for SunRail Phase 2 South," Murphy said. "Orlando is a world-class city and it deserves a world-class transportation system, and commuter rail is a critical component of this. I'm proud of everything our delegation did to help secure this funding and of our work to provide central Florida residents and visitors with efficient, safe, and reliable transit options."

"Central Florida is not only one of the fastest growing regions in the country, but also one of the most forward-looking," Demings said. "Today, the federal government has stepped up to invest in our innovation with a $16 million grant for SunRail's southern expansion. As we continue to grow our economy and attract new and returning visitors to Central Florida, it's vital that our infrastructure keeps pace. Today's news helps ensure that our region remains a great place to live, work, and play—now and in the future."