It’s a $34 million decision: Should SunRail go to DeLand, as originally planned, or should rail leaders use federal funding that would be freed up by eliminating that stop for other things?
The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission was notified a month ago that some of the money planned for the second Volusia County stop could be redirected, if the choice was made not to go to DeLand. A month later, there is still no official decision about how to move forward.
SunRail’s northbound train stops its route in DeBary, and while the plan was always to eventually go to DeLand, some question whether the additional 12 miles of track is worth the cost.
“I think this is a very big decision for all elected officials associated with SunRail,” Bob Dallari said.
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Dallari is vice chairman of the CFCRC. He and his fellow board members were notified at the end of January that choosing not to extend to Volusia County’s second planned stop would free up $34 million in federal funding that could be used for other infrastructure along the line.
Though records suggest most of the board is in agreement about stopping in DeBary, Dallari wants more information. As a Seminole County commissioner, he plans to ask for direction from the Board of County Commissioners before signing on.
“Long term, this could be far-reaching,” Dallari said.
Dallari wants to know how removing one of Volusia’s planned stops would impact the overall funding structure when local partners take over the costs of SunRail from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties, along with the city of Orlando, are expected to take over those costs from FDOT in May of 2021. Dallari says the breakdown of how much each municipality will fund is still being calculated with the help of a transition team.
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He believes a decision on DeLand’s stop could impact the contractual deadline for when those burdens are shifted away from the state.
“It’s all negotiable right now,” Dallari said. “There are a lot of things on the table.
The CFCRC meets again in April.