06/10/2014AP - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

J b Li FDPrT _ June 8, 2014 Dick Kane 850 414-4595 dick.kane(u)dot.state.fl.LIS SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT Miami Herald on All Aboard Florida project RE: Miami Herald store Today, the Miami Herald ran an article entitled "Gov. Rick Scott supports controversial rail project on Florida's east coast." The article focused on the private sector All Aboard Florida project, which is designed to construct and operate a passenger rail line from Miami to Orlando. The article contained a number of statements that warrant a Setting the Record Straight. C'Ln I M: - The budget Scott signed last week includes most of the$214 million All Aboard Florida needs for a passenger station at Orlandolf�r��,�uri<�,��ll.1i;C��tt... " FACTS: • The funding is for the Orlando International Airport, not All Aboard Florida. • The project that the state is helping fund has been planned by the airport since the 1990s. • The facility being built is an intermodal center that includes parking, rental car and rail — it is not simply a station for All Aboard Florida. • FDOT also helped fund a similar project-the Miami Intermodal Center. • The facility will be built regardless of whether the All Aboard Florida rail proposal ever comes to fruition. C LA I M: " T17e Scott-uppum,ed hudirc/ cal.su hos 's 10 raaillioal to hchp poo liar 'gtrica Zoaac.s, designed to reduce the need for trains to blast horns to alert motorists at railroml crossil7g,N. " FACTS: • The funds would be provided to local governments, not All Aboard Florida. • This funding does not replace money All Aboard Florida would have had to spend. • In fact, the funds could be used by local governments across the state for any rail crossing, not crossings impacted by All Aboard Florida. C L A I M : -All Aboard Florida, which has said it will invest S 1 billion in the project, is also seeking a S 1.5 billion taxpayer-backed federal loan. State Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, cited the loan request as a source of controversy because it undercuts the idea that the project is funded pri�atch. "