Rep. Demings sends transportation priorities to the President

Representatives Murphy, Soto, Demings Send Regional Transportation Priorities to Trump Administration

Urge Inclusion of Central Florida Priorities in President’s Infrastructure Plan

Today, Representatives Stephanie Murphy (FL-7), Darren Soto (FL-9) and Val Demings (FL10) sent a letter to the White House Budget Director outlining regional transportation infrastructure priority projects in Central Florida. President Trump has made increased infrastructure spending a central part of his agenda. The letter by Reps. Murphy, Soto and Demings provides the Trump Administration with a list of priority transportation infrastructure projects in their region for potential inclusion in any future transportation infrastructure investment program.

Representative Val Demings

“The greater Orlando metropolitan area is home to numerous high-profile destinations, venues and institutions, and therefore requires a world-class transportation infrastructure network to support the safe and efficient movement of residents and visitors,” said Rep’s Murphy, Soto and Demings, “The President has called on Congress to approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion infrastructure investment. We look forward working with the Administration on this initiative, and we hope that these priority transportation infrastructure projects in our region will be included in the President’s forthcoming budget request to Congress.”

The joint letter lists six Regional Transportation Infrastructure Priority Projects:

• SunRail Phase 2: The entire Phase 2 South expansion project is a 17.2-mile segment that will add four additional stations to the existing rail system and is expected to be up and running by early 2018. Phase 2 North will link DeBary in Volusia County to DeLand in Volusia County. The entire Phase 2 North expansion project is a 12-mile segment that will add one station to the existing rail system.
• SunRail Phase 3: Phase 3 will provide a 5.5-mile connection from the existing Sunrail train system to Orlando International Airport’s Intermodal Terminal Facility.
• I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project: The project renovates and improves a 21-mile stretch of I-4 from west of Kirkman Road in Orange County to east of State Road 434 in Seminole County.
• I-4 Beyond the Ultimate Improvement Project: This project would involve improvements to approximately 40 miles of I-4, from US 27 in Polk County to State Road 435 in Orange County, and from State Road 434 in Seminole County to State Road 472 in Volusia County.
• Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal Facility: The Intermodal Terminal Facility consists of approximately 200,000 square feet of terminal space, accommodating the airport’s automated people mover and three regional rail systems (SunRail, Brightline, and possibly a magnetic levitation system serving the International Drive area). It will also support ground transportation activity, including taxis, shuttle buses, and public bus operations.
• Orlando International Airport New Terminal: The airport is building a new terminal to accommodate increased passenger levels and to alleviate overcrowding.

Use this link to read the text of the joint letter.