The state will invest $318 million to improve the infrastructure and expand capacity on existing train tracks, including:
- $198 million for projects on the CSXT rail line between Baldwin to Plant City, referred to as the "S" line,
- $59 million to build five road overpasses in Alachua, Sumter and Marion counties on this line,
- $52 million on other CSXT rail lines around the state, and
- $9 million to build access roads to the new Integrated Logistics Center in Winter Haven, which will be built by CSXT.
Phase 1 will consist of a 31-mile segment that will serve 10 stations, linking DeBary to Orlando. Service could begin as soon as 2009 – just as FDOT starts a major I-4 reconstruction project through the heart of Central Florida, from State Road 434 in Longwood to Kirkman Road in southwest Orange County
.
The deal does depend on several contingencies:
- Costs of any environmental contamination cleanup must be agreed upon.
- CSX's new Integrated Logistics Center in Winter Haven must get approval.
- Prior to closing on the property, funding from the Federal Transit Administration as well as Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola Counties must be in place for the Central Florida Commuter Rail project.
Gov. Jeb Bush alongside CSX CEO Michael Ward pictured in front of the demonstration DMU.
Interior of the Bi-Level Colorado Railcar DMU.
How does this affect Jacksonville?
Metro Jacksonville recently completed a five part series on the benefits of commuter rail in Jacksonville and how it could successfully be implemented. The Central Florida Commuter Rail plan has unintentionally cleared a major hurdle for Jacksonville.
The Central Florida plan requires CSX freight trains to predominately operate on what is known as the S-Line, which runs from Baldwin to Central Florida. The only logical connection between the S-Line and the A-line is from Jacksonville to Baldwin, effectively shifting freight traffic patterns away from the Jacksonville to Orange Park line.
This plan has the potential to remove a significant amount of traffic currently operating on the A-Line in Jacksonville. With less freight traffic operating over this line, CSX may be much more receptive to hosting commuter rail on a line with available capacity. The State of Florida has now shown its commitment to bringing commuter rail to congested areas. It only makes sense to look at the unique situation this has created in Jacksonville.
This map clearly shows the rerouting of freight traffic in yellow and the affect it will have on Jacksonville. Most of the freight trains will head due west from Jacksonville, instead of the current route south on the A-Line. This will reduce the amount of freight trains scheduled to travel along Roosevelt Blvd and into Orange Park. The 61 mile segment being purchased by the State of Florida is highlighted in blue.
This CSX intermodal train crossing the Ortega River may soon be rerouted to Baldwin and down the S-Line through Ocala, potentially opening up commuter rail possibilities along the route.
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thelakelander
August 04, 2006, 08:46:03 AMI really hope someone at JTA is reading this. Running commuter rail from Orange Park to Fleming Island accesses points where the Westside BRT line will never reach. On top of that, its millions of dollars cheaper, especially since CSX will be reducing freight traffic along this corridor.
Joy
August 04, 2006, 08:53:50 AMWe should be calling his office. Someone needs to give this guy a swift kick in the pants. It is like the blind leading the blind over there.
Director of External Affairs
Mike Miller
(904) 630-3109
Lunican
August 04, 2006, 10:03:31 AMThis is a good reason to \"change directions\" and scrap BRT.
Jason
August 07, 2006, 01:00:02 PMWith the reduced traffice on the \"A\" Line through Jax, city owned track through Springfield on the northside, and a good chance for a deal with our new Jacksonville resident company FEC, the majority of MetroJacksonville\'s proposed system is accounted for. Next would be deals with CSX (another Jacksonville company) to service the northside through to Fernandina. This is a very real thing and should be investigated. The potential savings should be enough of reason.
Ocklawaha
October 12, 2006, 04:56:45 PMWe need to develop the rail system with solid incorporated end points anchored in towns that not only have some population, but also have access to State and Federal dollars to aid in their own transit development. In other words, a commuter rail system needs to run from more then a cross street or shopping center, these make good local stops but for end points we should look to St. Augustine (FEC), Fernandina (CSX and FC), St.Marys/Kings Bay (CSX,FC,STM), Callahan/Hillard (CSX), Fargo (NS), Baldwin (CSX), Green Cove Springs (CSX).
As the CSX pulls back from the "A" line we have the opportunity for service perhaps as far as Palatka. In other cities it is common for commuter rail to reach out 75 miles from the City center. If we had a dozen trains each in the morning and evening from Jacksonville to Flemming Island Station, then perhaps 3 each should go on to Green Cove Springs, with one morning and one evening train all the way to Palatka. Another possibility is a regional pseudo-commuter train from downtown Gainesville to downtown Jacksonville. This would use only a short section of CSX´s "S" line, then branch off at Starke for Alachua and Gainesville. This way we pull in not only the daily commuter, but also the business traveler and student.