Gov. Rick Scott says $213M to aid OIA expansion project

Intermodal station will be built at Orlando airport

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday announced that $213 million from the state will help build an intermodal station at Orlando International Airport, which will also be expanded.

"It's going to be good for jobs, good if you come here as a tourist," Scott said. "It's going to help build the economy."

Half of the state's funding for the project will be included in the current budget cycle, which the Legislature begins debating on March 4. The other half of the money would be included in budget proposals if Scott is re-elected in November.

Local 6 reached out to challenger Charlie Crist to see if he would support including the money in his budgets if elected. Crist has yet to respond.

The intermodel station was first announced as a concept in October as part of $1.1 billion in expansion projects by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

The first phase of projects will include a 2,400-spot parking garage, additional passenger check-in facilities, space for ground transportation and a station for the proposed All Aboard commuter train linking Orlando to Miami.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said they're hopeful the new facility will help them secure federal money for the expansion of Sun Rail to the airport.

"We want the federal government to fund Phase 2," Jacobs told Local 6. "The connection to the airport is crucial."

"Gov. Scott's support of the Orlando International Airport intermodal center will help our region enter the next century of transportation," U.S. Rep. John Mica-Winter Park, Fla. said. "This facility will bring all modes of passenger transport together and is the key link to successfully connecting air travel, commuter rail, high-speed rail, surface transportation and future transportation systems together."

The project is expected to generate 1,900 construction jobs and approximately 400 permanent jobs.

Currently, about 35 million passengers fly in and out of OIA annually.

Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.


About the Author:

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

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