Whither High Speed Rail?

As I pointed out a while back, I voted against the high speed rail amendments twice, because I don’t think such a thing belongs in the constitution. It’s a statutory/appropriation question if there ever was one.

But ultimately, I do think that building a publicly controlled rail corridor, high speed or other, linking Tampa, Orlando, and ultimately, Miami, will carry important long-term benefits for the state. And of all the rail routes discussed for Florida, the Tampa-to-Orlando stretch has greatest potential ridership. So, I’m happy to see everyone moving forward on it. (Everyone, that is, except JD Alexander and the Winter Haven folks.)

But, in the interest of intellectual honesty, and embracing the uncertainties and potential consequences of what I support, I want to make a few points:

1) Where is CSX on this? It’s important to remember that CSX gave $50,000 to Jeb’s effort to kill HSR back in the day. The inferred quid pro quo, based on what happened, was that Jeb committed to the CSX rerouting/Sunrail plan. We should be asking what quids, pros, and quos are a part of this resurgent HSR plan. CSX has been very quiet about this. So Gary or Mike, how about emailing me an official CSX position on today’s HSR plan? bitown1@gmail.com.

2) In a related question, what are the technical possibilities for the actual lines? What I mean is, could we build a new freight line in tandem with the HSR line? Would CSX use it? Would it even be helpful in diverting freight out of city cores – Orlando, Lakeland, Plant City, Tampa, included? Does the HSR corridor give us a chance to redesign freight and passenger flow in a way that works better for everybody than the CSX-designed realignment would? Could this be an actual useful public-private partnership, rather than a public-private giveaway?

3) Are elected officials and DOT technocrats prepared for the traffic mayhem that will come while building this thing? As a four-day-a-week commuter to Tampa, I support the project while knowing that it will likely make my driving life hell for some period of time. Don’t underestimate the traffic anger policymakers in the corridor are going to face when construction starts.

4) U.S. 98 v USFP? Where should the Lakeland stop go? My preliminary feeling is that Kathleen/U.S. 98 area makes more sense, with perhaps an express bus linking the station there with USFP campus. But I’m open to argument.

5) This really should have nothing to do with Sunrail. That project is a suburban commuter rail system, designed to bring people in far-flung areas of Orange, Volusia, and Osceola counties into the city of Orlando. If you’re a business person or tourist, you don’t need a commuter train from the HSR station to Debary. You need a light rail connection, or a bus, to Disney, or the airport, or I-Drive. Now, I guess it might make sense to put the HSR station between Disney and I-drive, rather than downtown. But in that case, I don’t see why any business person would use it. Anyway, we should resist efforts to link these projects. They should rise and fall on their own merits. But, as I mentioned before, I do see a chance to explore better routing of freight, using the HSR corridor.