Sunrail Commuter Rail Approved

TALLAHASSEE -- Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad said Friday that Gov. Rick Scott has authorized the SunRail commuter rail project to go forward in central Florida, after hearing from local officials they want the train, and getting assurances they understand the state won’t get roped into paying more than it has already committed for the 61-mile system.

"There were no new facts," Prasad said of what he and Scott discovered as the governor considered the project. "It was just the governor's due diligence."

Supporters of a high-speed rail project between Tampa to Orlando, killed by Scott earlier this year, blasted the decision.

"He torpedoed a much needed $2.4 billion high speed rail project, supported by President Obama, that would have benefited taxpayers without costing them a dime, and brought in real ridership dollars and real construction jobs," said Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa. "Yet  he justifies a train to nowhere, pushed by Republican Congressman John Mica who has received tens of thousands of campaign dollars from interests vested in the CSX project."