In theory, the high-speed rail line linking Orlando to Tampa is a great idea. In practice, there are many more roadblocks the state of Florida needs to pass before the railway is even plausible.
To start, the additional $800 million received from the federal government is $300 million short of what is actually necessary to complete construction.
I agree with the Kristin Klein, president of College Democrats, that for the railway to be most effective, travelers have to be able to get to and from the railroad station easily.
Orlando is a large city and current public transportation is subpar. Locating the station where there would actually be parking would
take it far away from tourist attractions like Disney World, while the construction necessary on Interstate 4 alone would cause a tremendous ruckus to commuters until the project is finished.
Yes, it would create more jobs. Yes, it would help the environment, but until plans are actually in the works to extend it all the way to Miami, where there is the most clutter, traffic and tourists, it isn’t worth the hassle it will produce.
Editor's note: This letter refers to this article.
