Sunrail, Brightline to Receive Federal Grant Moneys
Local News Staff 
SunRail, Brightline and Central Florida have landed a small but vital federal grant for early environmental, construction and cost studies needed to install rail service from east of Orlando’s airport to the International Drive and theme park district and on to Tampa.
Receiving bipartisan congressional support, the grant of up to $15,875,000 will be matched with an equal amount by Brightline to evolve a concrete plan for Orlando-to-Tampa rail. That plan will be the basis for seeking grants for hundreds of millions of dollars in additional federal money.
“The federal government providing the grant is a good indicator that they like our project,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. “The grant will help us determine the details to submit applications for grants later this year, including routes, stops, costs, ridership, environment and economic impacts.”
The heart of the initiative is the Sunshine Corridor, which refers conceptually to a span of tracks from east of Orlando International Airport to the south International Drive and Walt Disney World area.
“The Sunshine Corridor is a comprehensive, ambitious transportation solution for Central Florida,” said Brightline’s chief executive officer, Michael Reininger. “It represents the missing link in Brightline’s plan to connect Orlando and Tampa.”
