Photo credit: Sunrail
Riding the train to an adventure is the dream of almost every child or child at heart. The clickety-clack of the track, watching the scenery fly by, seeing everything from a new perspective and for adults, avoiding the traffic that accompanies a drive on the interstate.
Since 2014, that adventure has led many passengers east and west along the Sunrail tracks from Poinciana in Osceola County to DeBary in Volusia. But, that’s where the adventure ended. Passengers never got an opportunity to see DeLand and it’s award-winning historic, downtown district. In 2024, the adventure can continue!
A look back at the brief history of Sunrail will show that the first of four phases opened in 2007. The last completed phase ended with the DeBary station. In the final phase, the track east from DeBary (the current end of the line) to DeLand is set to start construction in early February 2022 with completion in 2024. At a cost of 11 million dollars to build the tracks and the new station for DeLand, the county has a major investment in making the last Sunrail stop a success.
Currently, one of the most popular stops on the line is Winter Park, where day-trippers step off the train and into the historic downtown district rich with parks, dining and shopping. No other stop offers such convenience for the casual rider In the last few years, Sanford has offered Sunrail passengers a free trolley/bus service to its downtown. The cost, paid for by the Community Redevelopment Agency, has proven to be worth it for the business owners. DeLand city and downtown Mainstreet leaders have taken note and are also considering a free trolley service to Sunrail passengers. The trolley will take riders 3.3 miles, straight down SR44 (New York Ave) on the ten minute ride into downtown DeLand.
Commuters and sightseers alike will benefit from the new Sunrail stop when it is completed in 2024. The hope is that it rivals Winter Park and Sanford as popular stops and brings more business and attention to an already thriving downtown district.
A look back at the brief history of Sunrail will show that the first of four phases opened in 2007. The last completed phase ended with the DeBary station. In the final phase, the track east from DeBary (the current end of the line) to DeLand is set to start construction in early February 2022 with completion in 2024. At a cost of 11 million dollars to build the tracks and the new station for DeLand, the county has a major investment in making the last Sunrail stop a success.
Currently, one of the most popular stops on the line is Winter Park, where day-trippers step off the train and into the historic downtown district rich with parks, dining and shopping. No other stop offers such convenience for the casual rider In the last few years, Sanford has offered Sunrail passengers a free trolley/bus service to its downtown. The cost, paid for by the Community Redevelopment Agency, has proven to be worth it for the business owners. DeLand city and downtown Mainstreet leaders have taken note and are also considering a free trolley service to Sunrail passengers. The trolley will take riders 3.3 miles, straight down SR44 (New York Ave) on the ten minute ride into downtown DeLand.
Commuters and sightseers alike will benefit from the new Sunrail stop when it is completed in 2024. The hope is that it rivals Winter Park and Sanford as popular stops and brings more business and attention to an already thriving downtown district.