WrongTrack Blog

Supporters of the CSX deal are trying to minimize the public costs of the rail sale, so this is a good time to clear things up.

For the rails, the state would pay $641 million. Another $615 million in taxpayer money is needed for the capital costs of constructing the stations, double-tracking the line and installing proper signaling and switching equipment.

Rep. Rich Glorioso is telling people he cannot support the CSX deal because it lacks language to protect Plant City from the possible onslaught of 54 freight trains a day.

Perhaps Glorioso is referring to legislative language inserted to assuage the concerns of Lakeland citizens, whose state senator, Paula Dockery, has been vocal not only about the proposed freight super-railway through inland Florida communities, but about the deal’s many terrible terms.

It appears the House might actually give some needed oversight to DOT spending.

Remember, to find money for the proposed SunRail commuter-rail system in 2005, DOT delayed spending on road projects in EVERY district of Florida – except Orlando’s! Now consider that that very same year, in the growth-management reform bill, the Legislature allocated an extra $1 billion to boost infrastructure, including new roads!

Under pressure to play nice with regional economic-development groups, Lakeland leaders agreed about a month ago to mute their opposition to the CSX deal, which could send as many as 54 trains a day through downtown.

In return, Lakeland leaders expected regional support for re-routing the freight super-railway around the city.

Now comes the legislative language Lakeland secured by playing nice.

The legislation says FDOT will work closely with Lakeland to reroute the trains – if practicable, if feasible and if warranted!

Here’s the actual language:

It's disappointing that Gov. Charlie Crist has thrown his full support to the $1.2 billion deal between the state and CSX Transportation that could bring commuter rail to four counties near Orlando.

Gov. Crist,

Let me answer your question about why citizens find this deal objectionable.

First, citizens want relief from congestion, but this $1.2 billion deal expects to take just 3,600 riders off Interstate 4. Consider that today I-4 has 170,000 daily riders. Does that make good business sense to you? And remember this: the Winter Haven hub will add 1,500 big trucks to the region’s roads every day, including I-4. Does that sound like congestion relief to you?

I had hoped to start the WrongTrack blog today with the story of how it came to be. But that story must wait for another day.

The misleading op-ed by U.S. Rep. John Mica in today’s Tampa Tribune demands an immediate response.

Perhaps you consider “misleading” a harsh word. Trickery is even harsher.

Why aren't the fiscal conservatives, or just the fiscally responsible, in Tallahassee asking why the state of Florida is paying a national corporation that made a record $2.2 billion profit last year - up 26 percent from the year before, incidentally - so much for a project that some observers say could be done for one-third or less than the current projected price tag?