Sunrail service set to extend from Poinciana Station into Polk County.

October 26, 2023

Florida's Department of Transportation has released new information regarding a Sunrail extension. Currently the Sunrail's southernmost point is the Poinciana Station. Plans are now being put in place to extend the Sunrail line south into Polk County. This would continue the line from the Poinciana Station south all the way to Lakeland.

The agency claims this would increase ridership by 300,000 a year. They also claim the new service would eliminate 14 million car miles normally spent in traffic. The entire plans is projected to cost approximately $850 million to complete. When finished, the tax payers of Polk County will pay $12 million a year on annual operating costs.

All together, this would add 7 new stops and stations into Polk County. Some of the new stations proposed are Auburndale, Davenport, Haines City, Lake Alfred, and Lakeland. The project is expected to be completed in two phases, with the design phase starting now.

Sunrail's currenty northbound expansion is scheduled to be completed next year. With new plans in place this would bring the Sunrail line from DeLand all the way down to Lakeland. Plans are also being set in place to meet the Sunrail train and the Brightline train at a station build by Universal Studios.
Plans are definitely moving forward to connect Florida coast to coast and North/South.

This will hopefully ease traffic a bit on Central Florida's busiest thoroughfares. This will also provide tourists and locals a more convenient way of traveling from destination to destination. There is a concern with how this expansion will effect the current railway crossing on Poinciana Boulevard. Traffic already backs up during heavy commute times. With the 17-92 and Poinciana Boulevard intersection, construction delays could be a factor. Stay tuned to PoincianaNews.com for updates as the progress begins.

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