SunRail Phase 1 Set to Run in May 2014, DeLand in 2016
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
By: Carmel Delshad

December 16th, 2013 | WMFE- Central Florida's commuter rail line is set to open in May 2014--but those in DeLand may have to wait a little longer to hop on the SunRail.

It’s full steam ahead for Phase 1 of the commuter line, which links DeBary down a 32-mile stretch to Sand Lake Road. That’s according to county officials at the Seminole County SunRail Forum in Lake Mary.

But an underlying question remained—what about DeLand in Phase 2? Reports are swirling about funding issues for the second part of the commuter line.

If you talk to Congressman John Mica, there aren’t any issues.

“I see no reason, based on the great performance we’ve had in Phase 1, of there being any problem,” says Mica.

Volusia County Council Chair Jason Davis says, so far, there are issues, and they’re tied to federal funding for the project.

“The sequester that happened in Washington, D.C. where a lot of the funding is coming from has kind of delayed getting the rails down on the ground,” says Davis.

Davis expects the DeLand to DeBary link, known as Phase 2 North, to face a 1-to-2-year delay.