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April 16, 2009
Will High Speed Rail Really Happen?

04/17/2009 © Central Florida News 13

Reported By Scott Harris

If Central Florida does get a train, where would it run and what does the governor think?

"The high speed rail corridors we've identified so far would connect areas like the cities of the Pacific Northwest, Southern and Central Florida," President Barack Obama said.

Florida has actually looked at two different routes – between Orlando and Tampa, and Orlando and Miami. The Tampa leg has a real advantage in competition with other proposals around the country.

They've already done the environmental impact study.

Gov. Crist said construction of either would mean jobs for Floridians. But there's more.

“Well I think it's critical because we're still a growth state. We have almost 20 million people. I want to try to have our roads be uncongested. That's why I support SunRail, high speed rail,” Crist said.

The two may be linked in more than a sound bite from the governor. The feds want any high speed rail to connect to local light or commuter rail at each end.

So without SunRail, high speed rail may not have a chance.

Meanwhile, SunRail is facing stiff opposition in the Florida Senate. What has Crist done to help get it passed?

Crist: I've stood with both mayors, Crotty and Mayor Dyer, and promoted it as much as I can. We'll continue to do so. We're not going to let up. We're not going to get our foot off the pedal. We're going to keep pushing forward, and I think the challenge may be in the Senate. Sso if folks can contact their member of the Florida Senate, that would be a good thing to do.

Harris: Can you do any personal lobbying with some of the senators?

Crist: Oh, I am, I am, and I continue to do it."

Harris: Without being more specific?

Crist: You mean by .. No, I won't call them out yet. But there are some members from Central Florida who are not backing it.

The biggest opponent of SunRail is Lakeland Sen. Paula Dockery. Her husband, "Doc" Dockery, is the state's biggest backer of high speed rail.

Now that a bullet train is a possibility again, if Paula Dockery succeeds in killing SunRail, the bullet train could die with it.

Dockery almost single-handedly put the High Speed Rail Amendment to the Florida Constitution on the ballot in 2000.

Voters approved it, but then Gov. Jeb Bush got voters to repeal it in 2004.