ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 The SunRail board is expected to take a key step Wednesday that could shape the future of Central Florida transit. <\/p>\n
Members will vote on protecting a right-of-way corridor needed for a potential extension connecting the commuter rail line to Orlando International Airport.<\/p>\n
The move would not launch construction on the long-discussed airport link, but it would secure the land required to make the project possible in the years ahead.<\/p>\n
[WATCH BELOW: Orlando International Airport, Kissimmee Gateway Airport get $33M in infrastructure funding]<\/p>\n
Riders at the downtown Orlando station told News 6 the expansion feels long overdue.<\/p>\n
\u201cOverdue doesn\u2019t even describe the word clearly enough. It\u2019s so big of a necessity,\u201d commuter Thomas Halloway said. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of like a running gag among people that visit the U.S. in general that we have such bad public transportation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others said the extension could help ease the region\u2019s mounting congestion.<\/p>\n
\u201cDealing with the congestion that we have on the highways, it\u2019s a beautiful idea,\u201d rider KC Herbert said.<\/p>\n
Commuters also pointed to heavy traffic between the airport, theme parks and the tourism corridor as a major reason the project is needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhenever you have a lot of people all going to the same place, I wouldn\u2019t doubt that a bunch of people are going from the airport to Disney or from the airport to the tourism corridor,\u201d Herbert said, adding that a rail connection could pull thousands of cars off the roads.<\/p>\n
[WATCH BELOW: Altamonte plans to expand autonomous shuttle service to SunRail station]<\/p>\n
Wednesday\u2019s agenda includes a vote to reaffirm SunRail\u2019s commitment to preserving the right-of-way for the proposed Sunshine Corridor, the route that would eventually connect SunRail to Orlando International Airport, the Orange County Convention Center and International Drive.<\/p>\n
Transportation leaders say protecting the corridor now ensures the land is not developed before the project secures federal funding. They call the move a crucial step to prevent the airport link from becoming \u201cjust another idea on the shelf.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the vote will not immediately bring rail service to the airport, it would safeguard the pathway needed to make the expansion possible.<\/p>\n
News 6 will continue to follow the board meeting and any next steps.<\/p>\n
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