Transportation

 

Mica Continues in National Transportation Leadership Role

Congressman Mica continues to focus on efforts to improve American infrastructure both in Central Florida and nationally.  Mica serves in a leadership role on the House Transportation Committee, as the former Chairman of that panel, and is working with leadership to strengthen and reauthorize the transportation and infrastructure programs he reformed in previous years.  
 
One key piece of legislation in which the Congressman is working on is the extension of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act that passed in 2012. The original legislation, also known as MAP-21, reauthorizes Federal highway, transit and highway safety programs. It includes significant reforms to cut Federal red tape and bureaucracy, consolidate and eliminate duplicative programs or programs which are not in the Federal interest, and ensure that states have more flexibility to focus funding on their most critical needs. MAP-21 contained no earmarks and was fully paid for, not adding to the deficit.
 
 
In Central Florida, an initiative Mica has undertaken involves adapting high-technology solutions to help manage congested traffic. To move this project forward, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is undertaking a comprehensive review of current practices by looking at adopting the latest traffic management systems available. Many of our major arterial highways, including 436, 434, 50, 441 and other heavily traveled local routes, could see dramatic traffic improvements with better signalization and high-tech systems to improve traffic flow.
 
Another initiative championed by Congressman Mica has been the expansion of the Orlando International Airport (OIA). On July 11th, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced approval of OIA’s request for approval of an economic development plan to construct the new intermodal center and people mover connection to the new facility and future airport expansion. This approval will allow the airport to generate over $396 million, which will be paid through passenger revenues collected for this project that finances future airport expansion.
 
Along the SunRail route, a significant number of development projects have created jobs and spiked economic activity with its successful launch. Now, it is important that future links of the passenger rail system be expanded to serve other parts of the community and that our bus system is properly integrated so that residents can access lines in the currently limited corridor of service.  Mica strongly advocated the importance of SunRail Phase II’s inclusion in the 2015 Presidential Budget proposal, an important step to making this extension eligible for federal support, and it was included.
 
Additionally, Rep. Mica has discussed with local transportation leaders the possibility of using in the Central Florida SunRail system, six DMUs (diesel multiple units) that are property of the State of Florida and have been in service over the past decade in the South Florida Tri-Rail System.
 
The Congressman’s request is that consideration be given to using those cost effective and energy efficient self-propelled commuter rail passenger units as part of expanded SunRail service in Central Florida. These DMUs will complete their decade of service and contract with Tri-Rail this December and could be made available to provide extended and special event service in our region prior to the opening of SunRail Phase II.
 
After using the DMUs over the next two years, these vehicles could be transferred to the Orange Blossom Express route, servicing Apopka, Tavares and Eustis, and other regional passenger rail lines as service is warranted, in that or other corridors.
 

Please Click here for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Website