Mission To Promote the development of High Speed Rail and modern transit systems in Florida.

History Lesson In what year did the U.S. President sign legislation to build a national rail system, funded by debt from the U.S. Gov’t, to be built by private industry?

A New Historical Context Abraham Lincoln, father of the GOP, also father of the Transcontinental Railroad, signed Pacific Railroad Act on July 1, Picked the eastern terminus – 150 miles away from nearest rail line. Paid two companies 16,000, 32,000 or 48,000 per miles two build it. As measured relative to the GDP, this was $39.4 m, $78.8 m, $118.2 m/mile. Doesn’t include land! Issued 30 Year Debt.

Historical Context Obama included $8 billion in ARRA in April 17, 2009, announced competition for funds. – Sunrail/TriRail Derailment. – Exhaustion & Uncertainty. BUT – Best HSR project in the nation. Low Cost. “Shovel Ready.”

Campaign Concept Focus not on trains, but what is outside of window. CONNECT US. Build on civic infrastructure created by Olympic bid and Partnerships super- regional collaboration. Big Tent. Non-partisan. Labor. Business. Environment. Growth Management. Big Grassroots. Geographic Inclusion.

Foundation CONNECT US incorporated June 16, Founders. TBP. CFP. Tampa DP. Greater Tampa Chamber. Florida Building Trades Council. Florida Defenders Wildlife and Florida Audubon. Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and south Florida Business Alliance. 6/29 Board Lean, campaign oriented. Mike Bedke one of three founding directors, VP. Burdick Treasurer.. Today, 25,000 Floridians as fans and members.

Florida Special Session Every business organization in state supported. Labor divided. Environmental groups supported. Every major paper endorsed. Strong support from Gov. Crist. Result Senate House. Dec. 8, 2009.

January 27, 2010 We win!

Orlando-Tampa: “Ready to Go” TAMPA ORLANDO

Orlando-Tampa I-4 Corridor Major Investments have been made to preserve Rail Corridor 90% of R/W needed already owned by FDOT

High Speed Rail Stations High Speed Rail Insert Taxiway photo bridges

Fast Rail Facts 88 mile system. Five stations. 56 minutes TPA-Orl. Max speed 168 mph. Likely express trains – even shorter time. Fares $20-$60 RT depending on trip, booking frequency. Likely package deals e.g. Phoenix LRT. Projected Revenues cover operating costs. Station development opportunities at all stops.

Fast Rail Facts $1.25 billion awarded ARRA funds. Civil side cost $1.268 billion. Expectation of full funding commitment for second half, may require some match. LaHood’s ASHTO Remarks FDOT’s Rail Enterprise Office in charge. –Kevin Thibault –Nazih Haddad –All consulting teams in place as of March 8!

Fast Rail Facts Likely Early Action Plan. –Light Civil. –GeoTech. –ROW. –Safety. DBOM+F more likely than not. –Downside slower start. –Upside faster finish + less risk. –Likely Full Start Open

Fast Rail Facts Station Opportunities. -OIA. -I-Drive. -WDW. -Lakeland. -Tampa.

Fast Rail Facts

New CONNECT US Agenda - Super-regional Rail Summits March 24, 2010 Lakeland April, 2010 Tampa - Connecting Communities May Kissimmee. - Rail Vendor Shows Summer 2010

Super Regional Connectivity CONNECT US Agenda

SunRail-HSR-OIA Connection 2014

HART Referendum 2010

Clearwater-Tampa HSR Connection 2014

Orlando-Miami PDE

Facebook CONNECT US

One hundred years after the first commercial airline flight took off in Tampa Bay, America’s first High Speed rail line will open here in our downtown. Like Tony Jannus, we will open a new page in US history and a new world of possibilities for our future. We must do it right. Doing it right means putting the pieces together to build America’s best transportation system. The eyes of America are on us. It’s time to get to work. Ed Turanchik, President, CONNECT US

January 1, 1914 with Tony Jannus Tampa Circa 2014