How are Florida’s HSR routes selected?
Phase 1 of the Florida HSR system will start in downtown Tampa and end at the Orlando International Airport. Phase 2 will extend the system to Miami either along I-95 or Florida’s Turnpike as the primary routing. Phase 1 initiates in downtown Tampa at the planned intermodal transportation center. This location was selected as a preferred location in Tampa as part of the Environmental Impact Statement completed in 2005. Because of the lack of available potential corridor to connect to the Tampa airport, a more suitable connection to the airport may be better provided through a local passenger rail system. An intermediate station in Lakeland/Polk County allows residents in that region to commute to either end or travel out of the commercial airports in Tampa (bus connection required) or Orlando.
