Did SunRail Sidetrack $300 Million in Central Florida Roadwork?

While officials point fingers over who or what's to blame for a delay in $300 million in road improvements for Central Florida, they're missing an obvious culprit: SunRail.

The state Department of Transportation said the postponements in roadwork are the result of dwindling gas taxes and fees. Local leaders blame the $1.8 billion Wekiva Parkway.

But Beth Dillaha says it's a railroad job.

"Dont you think the CSX/SunRail deal has anything to do with this?" she asks.

"Its fairly easy to figure: $300 million was to come from local governments for the start-up of the commuter rail project; $300 million from the federal government.

"Governor Rick Scott and FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad repeatedly warned Central Florida officials that Central Florida taxpayers would fund the project and all cost overruns," noted Dillaha, a former Winter Park city commissioner and head of Veto SunRail.

State and local officials have pledged to get the $1.2 billion SunRail train rolling by 2014. But critics allege that the project is already coming up short of the needed funding.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that road projects deferred at least a year include adding lanes to portions of State Road 50 in Orange County, U.S. 192 in Osceola County and U.S. 17/92 in Seminole -- three of the four counties to be served by SunRail.