Florida Senate passes SunRail bill. Next stop Governor Crist.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
By: Mark Simpson

December 8, 2009 -- The Florida Senate has passed the controversial Sunrail bill 27-10. The state House passed the bill Monday. Governor Charlie Crist is expected to sign the legislation. The measure clears the way for the state to purchase 61 miles of track from rail company CSX for commuter trains in Central Florida. It also puts in place a funding framework for the cash strapped Tri Rail system in South Florida. Federal transportation officials had said Florida's efforts to obtain 2.5 billion dollars in federal stimulus money for bullet trains could be hampered if commuter rail legislation failed to pass. With the Sunrail issue moved forward, state officials hope to hear back on their stimulus rail application for fast trains later this month.