ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal Orlando announced this week it would put $2 million toward the cost of a crucial study needed to bring a planned SunRail line from Orlando International Airport to International Drive.
The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission is seeking about $6 million for a project development and environmental study (PD&E). It’s needed before the region can get federal or state government funding to start building the line.
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The Florida Department of Transportation will contribute $2 million to the study’s cost, and on Thursday, Universal told the commission it would match that money.
"We will absolutely commit to match the $2 million that the DOT is putting on the table for the next stage, which will hopefully then match the commission’s as well, so we will have a fully-funded PD&E to go and get this thing done right with the (Federal Transit Administration)," said John McReynolds with Universal Destinations and Experiences.
The rest of the money for the PD&E study will come from local governments.
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Seminole County and the city of Orlando have already committed to contributing $500,000 each toward the study.
On Thursday, Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer announced her county would discuss its $500,000 contribution at an upcoming meeting.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings also said his county commission was looking at taking up the issue on March 25.
The proposed Sunshine Corridor would connect the existing SunRail line to the Orlando International Airport while also building an east-west line between the airport to planned stations at the Orange County Convention Center, south I-Drive and eventually to Disney Springs.
Orange County approved the creation of a special taxing district for the property where Universal is building Epic Universe. Universal has set aside land to build the SunRail station should the project go through.
“Universal and the CDD still has land reserved for the station and some of the tracks, and we stand as committed a day as we’ve ever been,” McReynolds said.
Florida Department of Transportation officials said the rail line is still years away from opening.