A report in the Orlando Business Journal revealed that the the governing board for SunRail has unanimously approved a major step toward the proposed Sunshine Corridor, a joint effort with Brightline aimed at expanding rail service across Central Florida.
On April 24, the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission voted to move forward with a $6 million, two-year Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study. The study will focus on the proposed corridor that would connect SunRail and Brightline, including planned stops at Orlando International Airport, the Orange County Convention Center, and South International Drive. The corridor would also provide a route along Interstate 4, enabling Brightline’s future expansion to Tampa.
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 5 Secretary John Tyler called the vote a “key step,” adding that the study will help address critical planning questions — such as transfer logistics, cost estimates, and construction timelines — needed to pursue federal funding and determine future local investment.
“This is a foundational step in moving the Sunshine Corridor forward,” Tyler told the Orlando Business Journal.
Funding and Timeline
The study is fully funded through a combination of public and private sources:
- $2 million from FDOT
- $2 million from Universal Destinations & Experiences
- $500,000 each from the City of Orlando, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, and the counties of Seminole, Orange, and Osceola
FDOT plans to solicit proposals for a lead consultant starting April 28, with final selection expected in late June. The selected firm will work closely with consultants from Brightline and Universal’s Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Community Development District.
The study process will continue through May 2027, incorporating public engagement, preliminary engineering work, and refined cost estimates.
Local Participation and Flexibility
Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart, who chairs the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, emphasized the importance of flexibility among funding partners as the full financial picture takes shape.
“Every funding partner will have a different view on how they think they can best participate,” Lockhart said. “We all have a different level of resources available to us, so we will need to make sure we allow flexibility for partners to participate in the ways they can.”
Lockhart noted that understanding the potential mix of federal, state, and private contributions will be critical to determining the amount of local funding required.
Widespread Community Support
The proposed Sunshine Corridor has drawn strong support from business leaders and regional stakeholders. Among those voicing their backing during the April 24 meeting were:
- RIDA Development Corp., owner of the Hilton Orlando near the proposed Convention Center stop
- Maria Triscari, president of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce
- Bob O’Malley, SVP of Government Affairs at the Orlando Economic Partnership
O’Malley noted that support for the project extends well beyond Central Florida. “I’ve heard from hundreds of members of the community, including people from the Tampa area. The support for this extends beyond our region,” he said.
