Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (FL-07) will lead Amtrak, state and local officials on Monday in a groundbreaking ceremony to launch a new 600-passenger Auto Train station in Sanford, Florida.  The new facility is receiving more than $10 million in federal funding both to improve the Auto Train facility and to stimulate construction jobs in Central Florida.
Representative Mica, the Republican Leader of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, has been working with Amtrak and other officials to replace the heavily damaged Sanford Auto Train station, which was hit by the 2004 hurricane.
Mica also credited Congresswoman Corrine Brown (FL-03), Chairwoman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, for their bipartisan efforts to move the project forward.  Mica added, “It’s great to see government at the federal level working on a successful project, compared to the problems we have experienced with the Central Florida Commuter Rail project.
The Auto Train has been operated by Amtrak since 1983 between Sanford and Lorton, Virginia in the Washington, D.C. region.  The new station will include a 600-passenger reception hall and terminal facilities to accommodate expansion of Auto Train operations in the future.
WHO:             Congressman John L. Mica (FL-07), Republican Leader, U.S. House ?Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure?Representative of Congresswoman Corrine Brown (FL-03)?Fred Nardelli, General Superintendent, Amtrak Auto Train?Linda Kuhn, Mayor, Sanford, Florida?Bob Dallari, Chairman, Seminole County Commission?Other state and local officials.

WHAT:          Sanford Auto Train Station Groundbreaking
WHEN:          Monday, May 18, 2009 – 10:00 A.M.
WHERE:       Amtrak Auto Train Station?                                    600 S. Persimmon Ave.?                                    Sanford, FL