As Legislative Session Nears End, SunRail Lobbying Gathers Steam

Associated Industries of Florida reiterated its support for SunRail Thursday, calling on Gov. Rick Scott to green-light the Central Florida commuter line.

Citing the project's "enormous return on investment in terms of job creation and economic development through construction," AIF said the proposed 61-mile line would "diversify and strengthen Florida's economy."

Plans call for the state to purchase rail corridors from CSX Transportation for $432 million.The project carries an initial price tag of $1.2 billion.

Jose Gonzalez, AIF vice president for governmental affairs, estimated the four-county region served by SunRail would garner 11,500 related jobs.

Scott has said he will make a decision on SunRail after the Legislature adjourns. When he rejected $2.4 billion in federal stimulus funds for a proposed high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando earlier this year, the governor questioned the job-creation figures ascribed to that project.

Lane Wright, a spokesman for Scott, said in an e-mail Thursday afternoon:

"Gov. Scott is carefully evaluating the financial impact this project would have on Floridas taxpayers and he is meeting with stakeholders. He has asked the Florida DOT to lock in prices associated with constructing the SunRail system so he would have time to review the costs and the public concerns."