Penny sales tax increase: See the Orange County mayor’s list of possible transportation projects

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County leaders are presenting a list of projects they said could be paid for by an increase in the sales tax.

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It could add up to $600 million a year.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the top priority is to make it easier for people who rely on public transportation, like Lynx and SunRail, with plans for massive upgrades and to add more routes and more connectivity.

READ: Billions in road, rail and bus improvements promised if penny sales tax passes

Orange County commissioners are not ready to put the penny sales tax increase on the November ballot just yet.

The hundreds of millions of dollars raised would go toward everything from road improvements to upgrades to public transportation.

The plan includes a long promised west Orange County SunRail line, twice as many trains and night, weekend and holiday service.

The plan also includes a massive expansion of bus routes, up to 21 hours of service a day, with buses coming as often as every 10 minutes, and express buses running from transit hubs directly to major employment centers.

READ: Should Orange County raise the sales tax? Here’s how you can weigh in

The mayor said improvements are past due.

“If we don’t do something now, this situation is going to worsen and someone is going to point back to those that allowed it to happen,” Demings said.

You can check out the full document here.

READ: Why are some local street lights purple?

Demings extended the online survey for residents to April, just before the commission will vote whether to put it on the ballot for voters.

Click here to take the survey.

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