280 replies to this topic

[gibby]

That does not sound too bad but if the time difference between a direct connection somewhere on Orange Ave. and this spur deal is more than 20 minutes for a Tampa trip, then that would be a problem.  Also, if we end up being linked to Miami's airport within 2.5 hours, then I would assume that it would affect the international traffic at our airport and that would make a downtown Orlando hub make more sense to me.  I'm still don't understand why the Tampa airport folks aren't furious about this.  I'm certainly open to understanding this better, but I'm just not there yet.

[DeepEyez]

gibby, on 22 October 2010 - 04:37 PM, said:

That does not sound too bad but if the time difference between a direct connection somewhere on Orange Ave. and this spur deal is more than 20 minutes for a Tampa trip, then that would be a problem.  Also, if we end up being linked to Miami's airport within 2.5 hours, then I would assume that it would affect the international traffic at our airport and that would make a downtown Orlando hub make more sense to me.  I'm still don't understand why the Tampa airport folks aren't furious about this.  I'm certainly open to understanding this better, but I'm just not there yet.

After reading this article, I got to admit that I got a little jealous of Tampa......


Tampa wins $1.2 million federal grant to plan transit-oriented development

TAMPA — Tampa's plans to use high-speed rail as an impetus to transform the city received a $1.2 million boost from the federal government Thursday.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Transportation jointly awarded a planning grant during a media conference at Union Station that included U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Melbourne, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.

Dubbed the "Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant," the funds will be used to create a master plan for transit-oriented development in an area running north from a new high-speed rail station at the old Morgan Street Jail site along Nebraska Avenue.

There's more.....

[prahaboheme]

Was this a TIGER II grant?  Good news for Tampa -- the truth is that Tampa leaders are not urban minded in the way that the city of Orlando has really rallied behind downtown.  Tampa could use a grant such as this to strength the area around the proposed HSR.  Until now, all the chatter has surrounded the Orlando HSR segment.

[bic]

$170M of High-Speed Train Work on the Way

[mrh3]

DeepEyez, on 22 October 2010 - 08:58 PM, said:

After reading this article, I got to admit that I got a little jealous of Tampa......


Tampa wins $1.2 million federal grant to plan transit-oriented development

TAMPA — Tampa's plans to use high-speed rail as an impetus to transform the city received a $1.2 million boost from the federal government Thursday.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Transportation jointly awarded a planning grant during a media conference at Union Station that included U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Melbourne, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.

Dubbed the "Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant," the funds will be used to create a master plan for transit-oriented development in an area running north from a new high-speed rail station at the old Morgan Street Jail site along Nebraska Avenue.

There's more.....

Can you really call $1.2MM a boost?

[prahaboheme]

Yes.

[Downtown Steve]

From Bill Nelson's office: "The U.S. Department of Transportation will award $800 million more to Florida to build a high-speed rail line slated to run from Tampa to Orlando.

"The announcement came today from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood during a phone call with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

"The additional $800 million comes on top of $1.25 billion President Obama announced in January the state would receive for the Tampa to Orlando stretch. The award means Florida only needs approximately $300 million more from the federal government in addition to the state’s share of funding to complete the $2.6 billion project. The remaining federal funds could come next year.

"This is fantastic news for Florida," Nelson said. "This will ensure the state remains full speed ahead with high-speed rail construction. As I’ve said many times, high-speed rail will be a game changer for Florida’s economy, along the likes of the Interstate system and Disney.

DOT also notified Congress Monday of its intent to award an $8 million planning grant for the proposed high-speed rail line between Orlando and Miami.

Source: Miami Herald

[bic]

mrh3, on 24 October 2010 - 08:52 PM, said:

Can you really call $1.2MM a boost?

That's not a boost. This is a boost:

Downtown Steve, on 25 October 2010 - 11:44 AM, said:

From Bill Nelson's office: "The U.S. Department of Transportation will award $800 million more to Florida to build a high-speed rail line slated to run from Tampa to Orlando.

[bulldogger]

I am very excited to hear this already and more so regarding "seed money" for the Orlando - Miami link.

[prahaboheme]

Where would the Miami link terminate, MIA?

[DeepEyez]

Floridians have A LOT to be optimistic about, this is GREAT NEWS!!!!!

[Downtown Steve]

prahaboheme, on 25 October 2010 - 01:54 PM, said:

Where would the Miami link terminate, MIA?

Yes, more specifically, the, "Miami Intermodal Center" that is currently under construction.

[bic]

prahaboheme, on 25 October 2010 - 01:54 PM, said:

Where would the Miami link terminate, MIA?

Yep. The Miami Central Rail Station at the MIA Intermodal Center has already started construction, and will eventually link the MIA Mover, Metrorail, Tri-Rail, Amtrak, HSR, Metrobus, and Rental Car Center (which opened last year).

[prahaboheme]

^Sharp.  Hopefully Orlando's terminal design will also contain that "wow" factor.  It would become the first impression for so many entering into the city.

[DeepEyez]

prahaboheme, on 25 October 2010 - 05:56 PM, said:

^Sharp.  Hopefully Orlando's terminal design will also contain that "wow" factor.  It would become the first impression for so many entering into the city.

If that's to happen, for some reason I would want Baker Barrios to keep their hands off the design.......I'm not too impressed with what they create aesthetically.

Will HSR go to Downtown Miami or is the Miami Intermodal Center the furthest thing away from downtown Miami?

[bic]

DeepEyez, on 25 October 2010 - 07:40 PM, said:

Will HSR go to Downtown Miami or is the Miami Intermodal Center the furthest thing away from downtown Miami?

Like in Orlando, HSR will terminate at the airport. There will be a direct link to downtown via Metrorail (the elevated heavy rail line).

[prahaboheme]

Good article on Florida HSR, including this rendering of the OCCC station:

More here

Does anyone have any clue where this rendering is from?  I'd really like to see the plans for these stations.

[bulldogger]

I was looking online for pictures of HSR stations in Florida and found this Ledger article.  It includes a short video.

The Ledger

[bic]

The HSR web site has published some alignments and profile elevations which help to show exactly where the tracks will be laid and stations will be constructed. Check out this link and then click on the individual numbers to bring up the PDF's.

[prahaboheme]

I would have assumed the Disney station to be closer to the action around Downtown Disney -- it's out there in no man's land.