Resolution 2009-13, Requesting Prioritization of the Intercity Rail Component of the FEC Corridor Project was approved unanimously by the St. Augustine City Commission. The word out of 100 North Myrtle Street is that JTA is now on board.
At this point it appears that the Jacksonville city council has yet to show support for backing this passenger rail plan that could have a significant positive impact on the city.
To expedite this process, Metro Jacksonville has written a Resolution of Support for the Jacksonville City Council to endorse before time runs out and our community misses the boat once again.
To: Jacksonville City Council Members
From: Metro Jacksonville
Date: June 25, 2009
Subject: Resolution Supporting the Inclusion of the Intercity Rail Component of the Florida East Coast (FEC) Corridor Project as a part of Florida’s Economic Stimulus Plan
Introduction
The purpose of this item is to have Council adopt a resolution supporting the inclusion of the Intercity Rail component of the FEC Corridor Project (from Jacksonville to Miami) as a part of Florida’s economic stimulus plan. The project would enable Amtrak to operate a corridor passenger train service on the FEC Corridor between Jacksonville and Miami. Reintroducing passenger service on the FEC Corridor has been a high priority for Amtrak since 2000.
Background
In early 2000, Amtrak, FEC, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and regional authorities agreed to a service concept to reintroduce passenger rail along Florida’s east coast on the FEC Corridor. Thirteen preliminary station locations, primarily in downtowns, were identified between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, including St. Augustine. The new Amtrak long-distance service was anticipated to utilize existing FEC tracks, with limited additional track sidings as needed. An interconnection in West Palm Beach between FEC and CSX tracks would connect this corridor to Amtrak stations south to Miami. This general alignment is included in the 2006 Florida Rail Plan, which was developed by the FDOT, as a potential "East Coast Route" for long distance and new corridor rail service, and illustrated in the map graphic titled "Figure 5.6 Florida Intercity Passenger Rail Service Vision Plan – Coastal Route" (identified in blue on the map).
Negotiations were nearly completed between Amtrak, FDOT, and the FEC. However, in 2002, the Federal government directed Amtrak to suspend negotiations pending revisions to Amtrak’s budget and debt structure. Since then, the Federal loan provisions have been satisfied, and Amtrak began investigating new service alignments last year. In 2008, Amtrak’s budget was nearly doubled to $13 Billion over five years (2009 through 2014), allowing the carrier to better expand its operations. The January 2009 economic stimulus legislation directs an additional $8 Billion to states specifically to develop new corridor and long distance services and is being acted upon by states across the country.
Analysis
Discussions with JTA and Amtrak representatives indicate the Amtrak/FEC Corridor Project (Jacksonville to Miami) could be an appropriate project for Florida to request as a part of the Federal economic stimulus package termed the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.” New long distance and intercity corridor service would complement on-going mass transportation efforts in North Florida, such as Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s (JTA) commuter rail and streetcar studies.
The cost to carry out the Amtrak/FEC Corridor Project is estimated to be approximately $100 million. It should be noted that an Amtrak project would compete for a different source of Federal funding than local commuter rail, streetcar and highway projects. Further, a Jacksonville/Miami Amtrak project would include increasing FEC track capacity between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, which could shift this capital expense away from future Southside/St. Johns County commuter rail service, thereby improving the cost/benefit ratio for a Jacksonville to St. Augustine FEC commuter rail link. In addition, an Amtrak/FEC Corridor Project could serve as a potential funding source to bring Amtrak and passenger rail service back to Downtown and JTA’s proposed Jacksonville Transportation Center.
The image above indicates with the addition of a station or two, between Downtown Jacksonville and St. Augustine, how Amtrak’s FEC Corridor service could be used by local commuters between Downtown and the rapidly growing areas of the Southside and Northern St. Johns County.
Conclusion
The reintroduction of passenger transit on the FEC Corridor throughout the Region is an important component of the successful and sustainable redevelopment of the Region. The reintroduction of passenger transit on the FEC Corridor has been a major priority of the region for nearly two decades. As a part of the larger state-wide transit system, expanded Amtrak service could provide enhanced inter- and intra-regional mobility as well as economic development throughout the First Coast. Amtrak's regional rail service would complement JTA’s proposed commuter rail system and serve as a transit alternative during the reconstruction of the I-95 Overland Bridge and JTB Interchange projects, projected to get underway during the next decade. Recent discussions with Amtrak representatives suggest good potential for this project to be advanced if included as a part of Florida’s request for Federal economic stimulus money.
Moving this project forward will require the State of Florida to include the Intercity FEC Corridor Project (Jacksonville/Miami) as a part of its Federal economic stimulus request. The request should be initiated by FDOT, and the Jacksonville City Council should promote support among the Region’s Legislative and Congressional delegation, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), the North Florida TPO and affected local governments along potential Amtrak corridors. If needed, Council staff would be available to assist with gathering land use, economic, and other relevant data as well as coordination with FDOT, the JTA, and other agencies as necessary. Council draft Resolution ----- which supports making this request, is included with this report.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Council: 1) adopt Resolution ---- supporting the inclusion of the Intercity FEC Corridor Project (Jacksonville/Miami) as part of Florida’s request for Federal economic stimulus money; 2) transmit the resolution to the Governor, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, and Florida’s Legislative and Congressional delegation; and 3) transmit the resolution to FDOT District 2, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), and affected local government along the Florida East Coast Railway Corridor, with a request to adopt similar resolutions of support.
If Jacksonville is proactive, supporting passenger rail's return to the FEC corridor could open the closed financial door to returning Amtrak back to Downtown Jacksonville. Having multiple statewide intercity rail corridors meet in downtown Jacksonville could bring potential transit oriented development opportunities to LaVilla and increase traffic for existing downtown businesses.
Washington, DC's Union Station is an example of what our proposed downtown Jacksonville Transportation Center can become. However, to have the level of vibrancy that Union Station has achieved, returning Amtrak to downtown and passenger rail to our rapidly growing southeast corridor is a must. Amtrak's investment in upgrading FEC's track infrastructure to allow for passenger trains could also reduce costs on the local taxpayer for future commuter rail between Downtown and St. Augustine.
RESOLUTION ##-##
A RESOLUTION OF THE JACKSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL REQUESTING THE ASSISTANCE OF GOVERNOR CRIST AND FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY KOPELOUSOS TO PRIORITIZE THE INTERCITY RAIL COMPONENT OF THE FEC CORRIDOR PROJECT (FROM JACKSONVILLE TO MIAMI) AS PART OF THE FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Florida East Coast (FEC) railroad corridor was historically operated as a passenger rail line along Florida’s east coast, traversing or providing rail connections to urban areas like the City of Jacksonville; and
WHEREAS, Florida’s east coast historically developed around train stations along the FEC railroad; and
WHEREAS, local governments and the private sector along Florida’s east coast are currently implementing programs to invest in transit oriented developments around train stations; and
WHEREAS, improved mobility is highly desired in the City of Jacksonville and throughout the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, transit, including rail transit, is a key component of improved mobility, especially between cities and throughout Florida’s east coast; and
WHEREAS, the 2006 Florida Rail Plan identifies passenger transit along the FEC corridor as a potential “Coastal Route” for new passenger rail service in the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak is well-suited to provide passenger rail service along Florida’s east coast; and
WHEREAS, station locations in the Jacksonville Region should include a minimum of Downtown Jacksonville, The Avenues and St. Augustine; and
WHEREAS, the reintroduction of Amtrak service along Florida’s east coast would provide near-term jobs and economic stimulus for Florida’s residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government is seeking appropriate projects for inclusion in the Federal economic stimulus package to provide immediate and near-term job opportunities for projects; and
WHEREAS, the Intercity FEC Corridor Project (Jacksonville/Miami) is an appropriate project for inclusion by the State of Florida in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan; and
WHEREAS, former work by Amtrak and FDOT includes plans for the improvements necessary to initiate Amtrak service on the FEC corridor; and
WHEREAS, the State works with Amtrak to introduce a statewide corridor service between Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Miami.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE JACKSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL:
The Jacksonville City Council requests the assistance of Governor Crist and FDOT Secretary Kopelousos to prioritize the Amtrak/FEC Corridor Project (from Jacksonville to Miami) as part of the Federal economic stimulus package for the State of Florida.
We encourage everyone to send an email to the city council and mayors office asking that they please support Amtrak returning to the Florida East Coast Railway between downtown Jacksonville and Miami.
E-mail all Council Members at cityc@coj.net
City Council Member Phone Numbers and e-mail addresses:
District 1: Clay Yarborough (904) 630-1389; Clay@coj.net
District 2: William Bishop (904) 630-1392; WBishop@coj.net
District 3: Richard Clark (904) 630-1386; RClark@coj.net
District 4: Don Redman (904) 630-1394; Redman@coj.net
District 5: Art Shad (904) 630-1382; AShad@coj.net
District 6: Jack Webb (904) 630-1388; Webb@coj.net
District 7: Dr. Johnny Gaffney (904) 630-1384; Gaffney@coj.net
District 8: E. Denise Lee (904) 630-1385; EDLee@coj.net
District 9: Warren A. Jones (904) 630-1395; WAJones@coj.net
District 10: Reginald L. Brown (904) 630-1684; RBrown@coj.net
District 11: Ray Holt (904) 630-1383; Holt@coj.net
District 12: Daniel Davis (904) 630-1380; DDavis@coj.net
District 13: Art Graham (904) 630-1397; ArtG@coj.net
District 14: Michael Corrigan (904) 630-1390; Corrigan@coj.net
At-Large Council Members
Group 1: Ronnie Fussell (904) 630-1393; RonnieF@coj.net
Group 2: John R. Crescimbeni (904) 630-1381; JRC@coj.net
Group 3: Stephen C. Joost (904) 630-1396; Joost@coj.net
Group 4: Kevin Hyde (904) 630-1398; KHyde@coj.net
Group 5: Glorious J. Johnson (904) 630-1387; GloriousJ@coj.net
Article by Ennis Davis
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fsujax
June 25, 2009, 08:05:27 AMThere will be two resolutions presented to the JTA Board today at the 2pm meeting. One is for adding Jacksonville to the FL HSR map, the other is supporting Amtrak on the FEC.
Lunican
June 25, 2009, 08:12:26 AMAssuming the JTA board passes these resolutions, is JTA planning on asking the city council to approve a bill of support as well?
Deuce
June 25, 2009, 08:45:20 AMWow, it looks like actual progress. Hopefully it's not just lip service on JTA's part. I would love to be able to take a train to Miami for the weekend or even travel to Orlando.
JeffreyS
June 25, 2009, 08:56:40 AMKudos to the St. Augustine City Commission on their resolution. Kudos in advance to the JTA presenting it's resolutions to the board. Now hopefully I will have the opportunity to offer the same appreciation to the JTA board, Mayor and city council very soon.
Metro Jacksonville thank you for all you do also.
Traveller
June 25, 2009, 08:58:10 AMRather than switch to the CSX tracks in West Palm, a better option (in my opinion) would be for passenger trains to stay on the FEC tracks to Miami. The FEC tracks follow U.S. 1 through the heart of every major city in south Florida. The CSX tracks are out by I-95 where nobody lives or works. Once in downtown Miami, the two lines cross at a 90 degree angle. A short connection would allow passenger trains to terminate at the new intermodal center by the airport.
I hope the JTA gets on board. My inlaws live in Jupiter, and it would be so nice to take the train to Stuart or West Palm in 5 hours or less.
thelakelander
June 25, 2009, 09:01:21 AMGood point, Traveller. The FEC corridor would be a better line for commuter and intercity rail in South Florida.
heights unknown
June 25, 2009, 09:25:51 AMMetro Jacksonville thank you for all you do also.
For all you do, Metro Jacksonville's for you!
Heights Unknown
heights unknown
June 25, 2009, 09:28:17 AMWe all are praising the fact that Jax might be added to this rail line, but will Jax do the smart thing and shoulder it's share of the burden and load? We'll see how this plays out. It would be good to take a train from Miami to Orlando, or Orlando to Jax and/or Miami, or from Jax to Orlando/Miami. Hope eventually they also run that line from Orlando to Tampa and points south to Miami on the West Coast of Florida.
Heights Unknown
thelakelander
June 25, 2009, 09:40:46 AMWhat burden and load, in regards to enhanced Amtrak service?
tufsu1
June 25, 2009, 09:42:02 AMWhile the FEC corridor goes through most of the downtown areas of South Florida, the CSX tracks are more centrally located, have better highway access and fewer conflict points, and already have stations.
I think I'd rather see Amtrak and Commuter Rail stay on CSX and allow the FEC tracks to be used for local transit (like light rail)
thelakelander
June 25, 2009, 09:47:07 AM^Is that possible? The FEC line down there serves the ports, rock quarries and still carries a decent amount of freight.
Ocklawaha
June 25, 2009, 10:08:34 AMThis whole project (in today's version) is an outgrowth of moving some of the Tri-Rail trains to the FEC mainline in South Florida. The CSX isn't in the urban core and rightly stated the FEC IS the urban core. Tri-Rail would have been on the FEC in the first place had it not been for Ed Ball and company back in the FEC's "angry days".
Those who are waiting to go to Palatka, Deland, Winter park, Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tampa, Winter Haven, Sebring, West Palm, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, can catch the train in Jacksonville TODAY. We already have this service, all we need is FEC short route down the Eastern Beach side.
If this proposal doesn't light our councils fire, their wood is wet!
OCKLAWAHA
thelakelander
June 25, 2009, 10:45:48 AMralpho37, that email has been configured to send notices to every council member.
shanshan1218
June 25, 2009, 11:46:30 AMmy emails are being sent!
ralpho37
June 25, 2009, 12:00:14 PMlakelander: thanks i was a little confused about that. im sending them an email now!
JaxNative68
June 25, 2009, 02:23:59 PMWill the City of Jacksonville be smart, or blow another great opportunity for growth and progress? Only time will tell.
JeffreyS
June 25, 2009, 03:49:20 PMSo no live blogging the JTA meeting today? No blame if I wanted it I should have done it. Stephen will you be so kind as to once again get the transcript?
fsujax
June 25, 2009, 03:53:35 PMI hear both of the JTA resolutions passed. Thanks JTA!
Lunican
June 25, 2009, 03:54:54 PMGreat! Now the Jacksonville City Council should step up and do the same.
mtraininjax
June 25, 2009, 07:09:06 PMJax do the right thing and shoulder it's share of the burden and the load.....you really mean, will the taxpayers of Jacksonville step up and shoulder the load, because after today's tax increase in millage rate, I am sure we will be looking forward to more expenses. What you really should do is go to SJTC, with or without an umbrella, and ask the people on the southside, if they know what Amtrak is, what it does and would they ride it. The average person probably has no idea what it is, what it does and would say they are happy to drive to St. Augustine by car, if needed.
Would I like to travel by FEC rail instead of CSX rail to Miami, absolutely. But this will have to be funded almost entirely by the Feds, as the State is cutting back its rail initiatives in this and the 2010 budget and the JTA is a state funded animal as well, so they will have a hard time finding new money for new a new station.
I'd love the new transportation hub downtown, but it probably will not happen, not this year or next, not with Amtrak spending money on improvements to the existing station. In the Amtrak report, I did not see a new Jax station, but with bureacracy, there are only so many pages I can read, so I might have missed it in the thousands of pages.
thelakelander
June 25, 2009, 07:38:06 PMThe Amtrak FEC Corridor Project would be included as an intercity rail component of Florida's economic stimulus plan. In other words it, could very well be funded almost entirely at the federal level.
As for them investing in the current facility, who says the current facility can't become a satellite stop? Outside of Tampa, we're the only major metropolitan area with only one remote isolated Amtrak station. Even metro Lakeland, which is half our size, has two. So if we're going to issue support letters, we might as well include suggestions in that letter that will benefit both us locally and Amtrak. If it fails, at least we tried. The worst thing we can do is to continue to stick our heads in the sand when opportunities like this come along.
Keith-N-Jax
June 25, 2009, 09:24:50 PMI am for FEC rail to Miami.
tufsu1
June 25, 2009, 09:36:33 PMand who pays for that Keith?
Keith-N-Jax
June 25, 2009, 10:39:21 PM^^Read Lakes post, I assume you say that because of my other post since I am againts rasing taxes. If it can be funded by another entity then I am for it, but its our money anyway. Federal, Governement, City, isnt it the tax payer money anyway. I said what I said only to be sarcastic, because that would allow for an easier way to get to Miami other than driving a car or flying. When I really what have a good time, that usually means leaving Jax.
tufsu1
June 25, 2009, 10:54:46 PMmy point is Americans seem to want, want, want...government should do this, do that...but don't even think of taking any of our hard earned money....this viewpoint HAS to change.
personally, I would like to see us invest more in rail, at the local, regional, and national levels...but I bet I can find plenty of Floridians who would rather we spend money widening I-95, I-4, I-75, etc.
Keith-N-Jax
June 25, 2009, 11:11:47 PMIsnt government money our money anyway or atleast it was. I am sure that money comming out of my check goes somewhere right. The government has spent millions and billions in other countries. I wonder how many americans approved that spentniture or had a say. They just spent it, just like our own city. The government is already taking our hard earned money, so I dont blame Americans for wanting.
mtraininjax
June 25, 2009, 11:15:33 PM30 Billion in construction stimulus and 757 billion in pork earmarks. The politicians are doing a great job with our money. Can't wait for new City, State, and Federal taxes.
Ocklawaha
June 25, 2009, 11:34:16 PMYou'd like to see more investment in rail? So would I my friend. When you ask those Floridians that want to spend their money on those "Freeways", we should ask them how much money we made off of them last year? Also, I really want to know how wide is wide enough?
Perhaps we should put a slogan to our efforts...
RAIL, NOT AS WIDE BUT JUST AS LONG!
OCKLAWAHA
FayeforCure
July 02, 2009, 08:48:17 AMYou'd like to see more investment in rail? So would I my friend. When you ask those Floridians that want to spend their money on those "Freeways", we should ask them how much money we made off of them last year?
OCKLAWAHA
Be careful, or we might only have toll roads to drive on if we want roads to pay for themselves
nicktooch
July 05, 2009, 08:33:59 PMwrote to my district's council member AND clay yarborough bc his dad was (might still be) a guidance counselor at Landmark Middle, where i attended. very influential voice in my formative yrs in jax following my relocation from Philly. have heard Clay speak at my sister's 8th gr grad at Landmark. great guy
Ocklawaha
July 06, 2009, 12:19:43 AMYou'd like to see more investment in rail? So would I my friend. When you ask those Floridians that want to spend their money on those "Freeways", we should ask them how much money we made off of them last year?
OCKLAWAHA
Be careful, or we might only have toll roads to drive on if we want roads to pay for themselves
Well Faye, it certainly would change the dynamic's of our national transportation priorities. BTW, most "autopistas" in Colombia (Freeways) are toll roads. They certainly are equal to ours and maintained much better, but it's a pay as you go plan. TOLL ROADS - ARE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD?
OCKLAWAHA
Lunican
July 09, 2009, 04:46:42 PMEfforts to create passenger rail service between Jacksonville and Miami on the Florida East Coast Rail Line continue to pick up steam. But it’s not clear if anyone will pay to make it happen.
In the last month, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and St. Augustine have come out in support of the idea. The First Coast Transportation Planning Organization did so last year, as have about 60 government entities, chambers of commerce and transportation organizations on the east coast of Florida as far south as Fort Lauderdale.
Each resolution of support was sent to the Florida Department of Transportation.
“For a while I think all the mail I got was these resolutions,” said state Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos. “It definitely shows we have a lot of support for getting this done.”
Full Article:
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-07-09/story/support_increases_for_jacksonville_to_miami_train_route
heights unknown
July 09, 2009, 06:30:04 PMJust heard this morning that high speed rail was approved from Orlando to Tampa. I guess our leg to Miami and/or Orlando will never get approved, or when it is approved most of us will be burning in hell or basking in the comfort of Heaven.
Heights Unknown
heights unknown
July 09, 2009, 06:34:50 PMhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_High_Speed_Rail
Click on the above link and check out the fact that North Florida (including Jacksonville) has been left out of the high speed rail loop; however if you read various internet articles, including wikepedia, the first phase is Orlando-Tampa, then Orlando-Miami, and maybe (this is the word they used) another phase including Jacksonville to Orlando and then Tallahassee to Jacksonville.
Heights Unknown
tufsu1
July 09, 2009, 09:06:02 PMOrlando to Tampa has been the first leg for a decade...and then Orlando to Miami follows....it doesn't mean Jax. gets left out...it just means that the 3 largest metro areas in the state will be served first!
thelakelander
July 10, 2009, 07:41:22 AMIts good to see that the state has decided to ask for federal stimulus dollars to return passenger rail back to the FEC. Hopefully, the request will be granted.
Kopelousos said the state is asking for federal stimulus money that would allow it to make rail improvements to the FEC tracks, a condition set forth by the company before it allows trains on them.