Sunshine Corridor

The Sunshine Corridor is a proposed passenger rail transportation program. It proposes expanding premium passenger rail transportation to improve mobility, connectivity, and accessibility to major employment centers while stimulating economic development opportunities to support the rapidly growing Central Florida region.

The Sunshine Corridor Program is focused on linking the Orlando International Airport (MCO), downtown Orlando (via LYNX Central Station), Kissimmee (via the Kissimmee SunRail station), the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), and South International Drive (SID) with an optional extension to Disney Springs (DS). It would accommodate both future commuter rail service and intercity passenger rail. This comprehensive, multi-phase passenger rail program will provide premium transit service connecting the SunRail Central Florida Rail Corridor and the proposed Brightline intercity passenger rail with major activity centers and multimodal facilities within the Orlando region. 

The schematic below provides a general illustration of the proposed rail service operations. 

• The green line represents the existing SunRail Commuter service from DeLand to Poinciana.  
• The blue line illustrates proposed commuter rail services from Lynx Central Station to Orlando International Airport, and then a segment from the Orlando International Airport to Kissimmee. 
• The orange line illustrates the proposed Sunshine Corridor from the Orlando International Airport to the Convention Center, then southeast to South International Drive and Disney Springs area. 

The purpose of the Sunshine Corridor project is to provide a critical transportation link, leveraging previous and planned modal investments, to address the mobility, connectivity, and economic development needs of the rapidly growing Central Florida region. The proposed Sunshine Corridor project advances the extension of the existing SunRail commuter rail service, connecting major employment and activity centers in the Orlando area and supports the viability of implementing a multi-phase intercity passenger rail program that will serve areas beyond the Central Florida region. 

The need for the Sunshine Corridor project is three-fold. 

• Access to Employment/Activity Centers: The Sunshine Corridor would be a vital link in the regional transportation system to improve mobility, connectivity, and access to major employment and activity centers.
• Provides Multimodal Mobility Options: The Sunshine Corridor would provide a viable transportation option for residents and visitors, as the area and state continue to experience expansive growth and economic development, putting a strain on the existing transportation facilities and infrastructure.
• Leverages Investment: The Sunshine Corridor project advances local priorities focused on regional transit needs established in previous planning efforts and leverages significant investments in multimodal facilities, SunRail, and the Brightline intercity passenger rail system.

Connectivity to Activity Centers: Connect residents to employment, education, leisure opportunities, and essential services.

Safety: Provide a safe travel option for local and regional travel.

Mobility: Enhance transportation equity by expanding multimodal transportation options.

Economic Development: Promote economic development and increase local commerce.

Environmental Benefits: Produce environmental benefits associated with air quality and energy through the reduction of single-occupant vehicle travel.

Supports Regional Travel: Provide a cost-effective regional transportation solution that reduces the need for roadway capacity or expansion projects.

A Transit Concept Alternatives Review (TCAR) is a planning and environmental screening process that compares transit project alternatives, potential costs, funding options, community benefits, economic development, and mobility for users of a proposed project. The review also considers high-level environmental effects of the alternatives. The purpose and outcome of a TCAR Study is to demonstrate the prerequisite preparation for advancing transit projects for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding and reassuring stakeholders that the project will be capable of maximizing existing funding sources.  

The Alternatives Evaluation assessed multiple factors related to transportation and infrastructure projects. The evaluation of the various options considered the complexity and requirements for the existing and new infrastructure. The evaluation assessed passenger, vehicle, and rail operations safety. 

The completed TCAR study has resulted in moving forward with the selected alternative of Commuter Rail.