Osceola County Commissioners are uncertain about how to fund the expansion of SunRail

In Osceola County, Florida, commissioners raised concerns about the potential benefits of the proposed Sunshine Corridor as the Florida Department of Transportation sought a $500,000 investment in the initiative.

Officials from FDOT briefed the county on Monday about the Sunshine Corridor plan, designed to link Orlando International Airport with the current SunRail corridor, the Orange County Convention Center, and Disney Springs. The project is still in the planning stages, with the upcoming focus on conducting a study to advance the development process.

John Tyler, the FDOT District Secretary, highlighted the significant cost associated with extending the project all the way to Disney Springs, emphasizing that while expensive, it is expected to greatly enhance SunRail ridership.

Tyler said the east-to-west expansion would increase total ridership seven-fold. He asked the county for $500,000 to help pay for the $4 million price tag. FDOT has committed to putting forth $2 million for the project. Tyler explained the cost would be divided by their partners, but one commissioner wondered what additional investments would need to be made after the study is completed.

“What are going to be our expectations and what we’re capable of doing as well when it comes to funding,” District 1 Commissioner Peggy Choudhry said.

Since 2010, Osceola County’s population has more than doubled and it is expected to grow another 50 percent by 2040. With that, traffic has increased. With these proposed stops being outside of Osceola County, one commissioner questioned the benefit for his constituents.

“If the ask is $4 million, I’d like to see…what percentage of that is going to alleviate Osceola County Traffic,” Osceola County District 5 Commissioner Ricky Booth said. “I think just throwing out 500,000 dollars, I think that’s great, but it looks like the new line in your study is being built in Orange County.”

SunRail riders like Antoniette Tapper tell News 6 that the new stops would get more people off the roads.

“Taking the SunRail is much better. You don’t have the traffic to deal with,” she said.

Osceola County resident Carlos Quiceno says the increase in traffic is so bad he often stays away from highly populated areas and that even if the SunRail stops are not in his county, they can help in one way or another.

“[The county] should consider it, its progress, and what brings in the income for Orlando: Tourists,” he said.

During Monday’s meeting, Tyler said FDOT wants to proceed with the expansion study by early next year. The Osceola County Commissioners will revisit the request at a later date.