November 2022 – The Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council (MPOAC) recently expanded the scope of the Freight Advisory Committee to include passenger rail. This change acknowledges the importance of passenger rail in the transportation network.
One of its first acts as the Freight and Rail Committee (FRC) was hosting a Passenger Rail Workshop. During the workshop, Amtrak presented its long-range Connects US Plan, the Federal Railroad Administration discussed new funding opportunities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan, and FDOT gave an update on the State Rail Plan.
The FRC is developing a Passenger Rail Prioritization Program to advance passenger rail projects across Florida. Projects will be identified, eligibility will be confirmed, a project list will be created, and after approval, the list will be transmitted to FDOT annually for funding consideration. The program is expected to be established in 2023.
For more information about the FRC and its work products visit: https://mpoac.cutr.us/committees/freight-committee/
