With an eye toward the future, the Volusia County Council has voted
unanimously to support a commuter rail project that will link
Volusia County travelers to Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties.
“I know this has been a challenging issue,” said Volusia County
Chair Frank Bruno. “Every member of the County Council did a great
deal of research and carefully weighed the opinions of residents,
transportation officials and staff. It was not an easy decision, nor
should it have been. But our job is to deal with the issues of the
day and also to anticipate the needs of the future. This project is
good for the environment and it’s good for the economy. This will
serve our residents well and affirms our position as an important
player within the Central Florida region.”
After years of debate and hundreds of hours poring over details of
the complex multi-party agreement, the Volusia County Council,
before a capacity crowd in its DeLand chambers July 31, recorded the
historic vote. Trains could be running within three
years.
When complete, the commuter rail will run from Poinciana in Osceola
County, through Orange and Seminole counties, to DeLand. Existing
CSX railroad tracks will carry the trains. The first phase will
include a single stop in DeBary, in Southwest Volusia.
If the current census of commuters is an indication of the need for
commuter rail, the need already exists. Nearly 50,000 Volusia County
workers commute to the Orlando area. The greatest majority of those
people live in Southwest Volusia.
County Council member Pat Northey represents the area and recognizes
the importance of commuter rail.
“Southwest Volusia County is an important part of the growing
Central Florida region and as its influence grows, so does the
importance of the commuter rail,” she said.
The commuter rail project is a partnership between the four
counties, the Florida Department of Transportation and the federal
government. U.S. Congressman John Mica has secured millions of
dollars for the project and has been a strong advocate for it.
Volusia’s cost in the rail system is estimated at $140 million over
30 years.
Initially, the Florida Department of Transportation will manage the
system. After seven years an authority consisting of representatives
of the project partners will take over management of the commuter
rail system.
