The state plans a $2 billion expansion of the Brightline high speed rail and is contemplating the idea of adding an Orlando - Tampa route. Chamber President & CEO Dr. Bob Rohrlack was interviewed by 83 Degrees reporter Philip Morgan on what this could mean for the Tampa Bay region. Last November, Rohrlack and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor got a firsthand look at the current Brightline stations, learning about the economic development and workforce housing advancements made in the areas around the Miami and West Palm Beach Brightline stations.
Here's an excerpt of the 83 Degrees story:
Bob Rohrlack, president of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce, says it has become obvious that the need for multi-modal transportation options throughout the Tampa Bay area has become desperate. The failure of the legislature to bring back to Hillsborough County all of the nearly $600 million collected in a short-lived transportation tax makes the problem all the more obvious, he says.
“So having Brightline here that can connect us to other parts of the state is a significant step in the right direction,” Rohrlack says.
Rohrlack says the chamber has passed a policy supporting Brightline and the expansion of rail and multi-model transportation choices in the region.
“That’s why we supported the transportation tax coming in. We supported the ferry. All of these options are necessary to have a vibrant economy,’’ he says.
Mayor Castor was also interviewed for this story and said, in part:
“I did not think it was possible to be any more excited about Brightline coming to Tampa until I rode it from Miami to Orlando a few months ago...“It is spectacular and will be a huge benefit to businesses, tourists, and residents, connecting South Florida and Orlando to America’s greatest city. Brightline will build a station in Ybor City close to the TECO Streetcar. Based on what we saw in West Palm Beach, which has a similar station to what Tampa’s will be, it will supercharge economic development around that transportation hub. I am hopeful we have passengers traveling on Brightline between Tampa and Orlando in five years.’’
Click to read the full story: Local leaders look ahead at what Brightline expansion can mean for Tampa, Ybor (83degreesmedia.com)
