Final design approval keeps commuter rail project alive
By Dan Tracy | Orlando Sentinel Staff Writer

Central Florida’s planned commuter-rail project passed a technical hurdle Monday, freeing up as much as $60 million to spend on land for proposed stations and train cars.

U.S. Rep. John Mica, R- Winter Park, said at a morning press conference at Walt Disney World that the venture was approved for final design by the Federal Transit Administration.

“I’m very pleased we reached this stage in the process,” Mica said.

That designation, while not ensuring that the $1.2 billion train system will be built, keeps the project alive, supporters said.

The plan still needs final approval from the Florida Legislature, which balked earlier this year at providing insurance for some workers associated with the train. Also, some Lakeland officials are against the project because they fear that extra freight trains will be rerouted away from commuter rail tracks and into their Polk County community.

But state Sen. Daniel Webster, R- Winter Garden, promised a deal would be worked out by the Legislature when it meets next year. “Whatever needs to happen is going to happen,” said Webster, who retires because of term limits at the end of this year.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-commuter-rail-081108,0,457662.story