Plans to improve rail access to some of Central Florida’s busiest tourist districts have progressed, following the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission’s (CFCRC) recent approval of a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the proposed Sunshine Corridor.
At its meeting on 24 April, the Commission unanimously voted to move the corridor into its next phase of development. The proposed rail line would extend SunRail’s commuter service and integrate with Brightline’s intercity network, creating a new east-west link through the region.
CFCRC Chair and Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart said:The unanimous vote to advance the Sunshine Corridor PD&E Study reflects our shared vision to expand passenger rail to serve even more Central Florida residents and visitors in our area. We’re proud to move forward with broad community and private-sector support to explore the full potential of this project.
The Sunshine Corridor is expected to connect passengers to key areas that serve millions of tourists annually. These include:
- Disney Springs, part of the Walt Disney World Resort, which offers onward transport to the resort’s theme parks
- South International Drive, near Universal Orlando Resort and other attractions
- The Orange County Convention Center, also close to International Drive and tourist accommodation zones
- Orlando International Airport, providing regional and long-distance travellers with direct rail access
The corridor is designed to enhance connectivity for both residents and visitors by linking existing and future transport infrastructure with some of Central Florida’s most visited destinations.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will oversee the PD&E Study, which will evaluate the corridor’s feasibility, environmental impact, funding strategy, and potential to qualify for federal transit funding.
FDOT District Five Secretary and SunRail Chief Executive Officer John E. Tyler, P.E. said:We are excited to start the next phase in the effort to bring the Sunshine Corridor to reality. This will be another transformational project for our region, and we look forward to working closely with the project’s public and private partners on the PD&E Study.
