What It Is

• Light rail transit (LRT) utilizes electrically-powered vehicles that ride on two rails. Power is provided by overhead wires. Trains generally consist of 1-4 vehicles and carry up to 680 passengers per train. Maximum operating speed is between 55-65 mph. The trains maintain a quiet mode of operation and produce little (if any) emissions.
   
• What It Is Used For
  • LRT operates on private right-of-ways – similar to a regular passenger train – but can also run on city streets or downtown areas with regular traffic. Since it is designed for short-to-medium distance commutes, LRT is ideal for linking residential communities with downtown areas or other urban activity/employment centers. Riders do not need to follow a schedule because of its high-frequency of service (every 5-10 minutes).
     
• Local Picture
  • The system proposed Central Florida Light Rail Transit study/project would use traditional LRT technology and link Altamonte Springs and south Orange County with 22 miles of track. However, it is unlikely that the entire 22 miles of LRT would be constructed at once. An initial operating segment of 9-12 miles would likely be developed first, with additional segments constructed as funding becomes available.
    

Proposed Route

• The alignment proposed for the Central Florida Light Rail project would link Altamonte Springs and south Orange County with 22 miles of track. Two groups consisting of business leaders and city officials from north and south Orlando – the Northern Stakeholders Task Force and the Southern Stakeholders Task Force – recommended two alignments that were combined to complete the route.
  
  The 22-mile route would extend from Altamonte Springs to Maitland Center, then crossing over I-4 near Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park and would move south to a redesigned Alden Road. It would then continue to Garland Avenue, on to the proposed LYNX Central Station, through downtown Orlando, extending west in the median of I-4, then south on Kirkman Road, ending near the Orange County Convention Center at SeaWorld Orlando.
  
  
• Additional Segments
  • Other rail initiatives are being proposed along International Drive and with connection to the OIA. These studies are intended to be inter-connected so as to create a more fully functional and efficient transit system.
    

Projected Timeline

• The Central Florida Light Rail Transit System North/South Corridor Project began in early 2003 and was completed late 2004 with the Supplemental DEIS. This document includes detailed reviews of environmental impacts, transportation analyses, preliminary engineering, ridership projections, and estimated construction and operating and maintenance costs.
  

Financial Considerations

• Projected capital costs for the project are estimated at $1.3 Billion ($ 2002). The operating and maintenance costs for the project are estimated at approximately $160.3 Million ($ 2002).