ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orange Blossom Express, a 36-mile commuter rail project, is being proposed to run from the Eustis in Lake County to Downtown Orlando.
According to a release from supporters of the project, the commuter rail will provide an alternative route to U.S. 441 and create both temporary and permanent jobs.
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The commuter rail will operate along the existing Florida Central Railroad tracks that run along U.S. 441 from Lake County to Orange County. The Florida Central Railroad tracks would also continue to provide freight services to the region, according to the release.
According to the release, nine station locations for the train have been proposed in Eustis, Tavares, Mt. Dora, Lake Jem, Zellwood, Lockhart, Apopka, Rosemont/Ben White and Orlando. Key intermodal hubs are proposed for Travares, Apopka and Orlando.
Supporters for the project said they are informing communities along the rail line, evaluating the costs and benefits of the project and finding funding alternatives for the passenger rail service.
Some of the major rail improvement costs usually associated with this type of project will be avoided because the Florida Central Railroad tracks already exist and FDOT has set aside $13.8 million for the freight rail upgrades and bridge replacement of the tracks.