Rail funding is coming – is Jax paying attention?

[thelakelander]

Our best bet is Amtrak applying for something that upgrades their intercity service in Florida but I doubt that happens without state participation.

[marcuscnelson]

There are multiple levers that could eventually be pulled in an FSP application (the recent grant award to work on city capacity for station development, Corridor ID) but they have to be pulled. Yet to be seen if this city really has the gumption to lead on that.

[thelakelander]

^Where it makes sense, I believe the mayors office is willing to pursue for intercity rail. With that in mind, St. Johns/St. Augustine, Clay County, etc. could also apply for similar work within their boundaries.

[Tacachale]

There are multiple levers that could eventually be pulled in an FSP application (the recent grant award to work on city capacity for station development, Corridor ID) but they have to be pulled. Yet to be seen if this city really has the gumption to lead on that.

What I can say here is that this administration is absolutely taking the lead on that. But we aren't going to get ahead of ourselves or over-promise. The biggest issue we've had so far is that there are a lot of moving pieces and stakeholders involved in this, but haven't been able to pull it all together. The capacity grant is a big step that fills the first big gap, which is that we've never had anyone who can be devoted to wrangling all the different things necessary to deliver. The grant allows us to hire those folks and keep things rolling over time. And yes, we absolutely will be pursuing grant and loan opportunities to help with the funding; our team has had great success so far building intergovernmental relationships and bringing dollars home.

[marcuscnelson]

A small update: per USDOT's most recently available Obligation Status Report, FDOT formally began some work last month on the first step of the Corridor ID award for the Jacksonville-Orlando-Miami corridor. Step 1 is the initial scoping process to prepare a larger Service Development Plan in Step 2. More on the overall process here.

[WAJAS]

As someone who takes Amtrak in Florida pretty regularly, I would love more service!

The trains between Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami are frequently near if not at capacity. The demand is there for a second silver star or silver meteor in Florida, but the trains are much emptier when crossing to Georgia. That would imply that an intercity service within Florida would be the right move. If only Florida had a government that was more interested in non-automobile transportation options.

[Steve]

As someone who takes Amtrak in Florida pretty regularly, I would love more service!

The trains between Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami are frequently near if not at capacity. The demand is there for a second silver star or silver meteor in Florida, but the trains are much emptier when crossing to Georgia. That would imply that an intercity service within Florida would be the right move. If only Florida had a government that was more interested in non-automobile transportation options.

The other matter is if the trains are intercity in Florida, the timing could be better. Right now the timing is rough.

Case in point - I work in Lakeland a lot. I looked at it, and going down to Lakeland would be fine - it's 4 hours, but not that much longer than driving, plus I could work. Coming back is terrible however and the timing would make no sense.

[marcuscnelson]

Speaking of funding, the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for this year's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program grants came out last week. $2.4 billion in federal funding is up for grabs.

If the city were ready for it, this program would be ideal for funding projects like a new intercity (and future regional) rail station at the JRTC, infrastructure along the FEC or CSX lines like safety improvements and bridge refurbishments that would expand capacity for passenger trains, or even constructing infill stations and maintenance facilities. It doesn't seem like there's a local plan lined up that would be ready to leverage this funding, which is exactly the risk I talk about in this article. That's a lot of money that could pass us by if we let it.

These CRISI Program grants were just awarded.

I'm a little surprised to say that we're actually on it! It's not much, but it's something:

Florida – Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Project (Up to $100,000)
City of Jacksonville
The proposed project was selected for trespass enforcement activities along track owned by CSX, Norfolk Southern, Florida East Coast Railroad, and St. Johns Terminal Railroad in Jacksonville, Florida. This project will deploy up to four law enforcement officers at identified hotspot locations to investigate and report trespassing-property checks at rail grade crossings and main rail yards, locate safety hazards on railroad property, provide referral services for citizens encountered, issue warnings and citations to trespassers, and educate people on the dangers of trespassing on railways. The project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing safety as the project will reduce trespass-related incidents including injuries and fatalities. The City of Jacksonville will contribute the 20 percent non-Federal match. This project qualifies for the statutory set-aside for trespassing prevention measures.