Is Light Rail Going to TIA?

The Tampa International Airport has been resistant to a light rail line going to the airport. TIA officials said they don't have the space; which very well be true. What is interesting is recent developments have caused TIA to reconsider a light rail line going into the airport. Tampa City Council members Mary Mulhern and Joe Caetano have expressed a desire to have a light rail stop at the airport. David Armijo, executive director of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, said he has had requests to extend the line to the airport.

"Adding the segment into the airport will require more environmental and engineering work and will add more time," he said. "However, it would appear that, subject to the review process, that is the No. 1 request from the stakeholders and the public. … HART is now working on estimating the cost to add this to the project review."

I wonder why the change of heart from TIA. Obviously, members of the Tampa City Council and Hartline are big supporters of light rail. Mayor Pam Iorio and Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe have been pushing for light rail for years. I'm wondering about the politics, but it seems some people did some very delicate behind-the-scenes arm-twisting to TIA. Personally, a think a light rail line to TIA makes sense.

In related news: the U.S. Conference of Mayors released a report saying the Orlando to Tampa rail line would add $3 billion to the Central Florida economy each year. I haven't read the report so I won't comment on the numbers. I will add is I-4 is a traffic nightmare. Anything to help aleviate the gridlock is a good thing.

Light rail won't be the only answer. Eventually, the economy will rebound and people will start moving back to Central Florida. That means the need for more roads, schools, and other infrastructure. The Florida tax base can't fund schools during good economic times. Gridlock is going to get worse in future years. The Florida government needs to talk about infrastructure and gridlock asap.