The Authority has undertaken a variety of project tasks throughout the development process for the high speed rail system. These include: studies, design and construction. This section reports on the outcome of the various tasks previously undertaken.

PHASE 1 - PART 1: TAMPA TO ORLANDO

Project Development and Environmental Study (PD&E)

The Florida High Speed Rail Authority initiated a Project Development & Environment Study (PD&E) in late 2001 for Phase I, Part I of Florida’s high speed rail system linking Tampa and Orlando. The study scope was established consistent with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which dictates the need to perform environmental assessments for all major transportation projects, especially those projects that require Federal funding. The State of Florida, as enacted in Florida Statute 338 & 339, also requires this type of analysis regardless of funding sources.

Early coordination with Federal agencies, including the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) determined that the appropriate level of analysis for this project involved the creation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which would adequately quantify the impacts created by this major project. In addition, FRA has taken a lead role as the sponsoring Federal agency, while FHWA is assisting in a cooperating role. Successful completion of the EIS is determined by the receipt of a Record of Decision (ROD) by FRA, supporting the conclusions and commitments identified in the EIS document.

Project Analysis
The study team has performed a number of diverse analyses since 2001, evaluating all forms of potential impacts resulting from each alternative studied. These analyses include noise, vibration, air quality, wetland, floodplain and protected species impacts. Each particular area is summarized in the EIS, which also includes the engineering support documentation for each alternative (criteria, design speed, etc.). A key component to the development of the EIS is a thorough public involvement program that solicits input from the public throughout the duration of the study. Beyond numerous community meetings with homeowner associations and elected officials, two sets of public information workshops were held in May 2002 and January 2003 throughout the project corridor. The input received plays a pivotal role in the development of viable alignments and alternatives.

Project Documentation/Public Hearings
Upon completion of the appropriate analyses, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was prepared and distributed to the Federal agencies for review and comment on July 18, 2003. Acceptance by FRA of the DEIS initiates the process to advertise the document for all agencies to review and comment, as well as the general public. The document is also made available for the public hearing, which was held in September 2003, and provides for formal commentary on the study findings to date, and potential impacts. Comments received through the Public Involvement process are used during the subsequent decision process.

Based upon the Authority’s approval of the DEIS, a draft FEIS was prepared and submitted to FRA for review in October 2004. The draft FEIS includes technical and environmental evaluations for the GreeneWay, which was designated as the preferred route, and the Beeline (now called Beachline) route as a viable alternative. The FEIS is currently under review by the FRA.

The Authority determined that, given the time and energy expended on the PD&E study to date, that it was in the best interest of the State to complete this work so that there is a logical conclusion to the study.

The GreeneWay designation as the preferred route was conditioned upon obtaining timely and satisfactory agreements with OOCEA and WDW. The Authority, having determined that very little progress had been made on these agreements, changed the preferred alternative to the Beeline (now called Beachline) route.

The FEIS has been finalized to reflect the updated information and the next step would be to obtain the Record of Decision.

Contractor Selection/Negotiations
Concurrently with the PD&E and NEPA review, the Authority evaluated the remaining two Proposals that responded to the Authority's Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Design, Build, Operate, Maintain, and Finance Contractor (DBOM&F Contractor). The Authority ranked the Fluor Bombardier team first and entered into an Environmental Contract with that team in November 2003. Negotiations began shortly thereafter and continued throughout much of 2004. As of November 2004, negotiations have been suspended.

Investment Grade Ridership Study
Critical to the development of the proposed system is the performance of an Investment Grade Ridership Study for the first phase of the Project connecting Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg. In May 2002, the Authority began the Investment Grade Ridership Study under the direction of a Steering Committee and a Peer Panel of experts.

Extensive market and travel surveys were conducted in July and August 2002. The surveys were conducted in the Lake County area along the I-4 corridor and at the Orlando International Airport. The two independent ridership consultants then used previously collected data and the new data gained through these surveys to determine market size and travel behavior characteristics. The results of this study were provided as input into the Request for Proposal process in November 2002.

PHASE II: ORLANDO TO MIAMI

Planning Study
The Florida High Speed Rail Authority, Staff and Consultants completed a planning study for Phase 2 of the High Speed Rail system from Orlando to Miami. The Study, published in March 2003, determined preliminary forecasts for ridership and costs on alternate routes between the cities. A summary of the results was presented in the Orlando – Miami Planning Study Executive Summary.

No further work has been completed for Phase II of the project because no additional funding was provided by the State for these activities.