Construction expands SunRail 17 miles south of Orlando area

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Construction on the southern end of the SunRail system is underway in central Florida.

The project to expand the commuter rail into Osceola County began in April and will be complete in 2018.

The Orlando Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1NcGcFa ) reports the 17-mile extension is expected to cost about $186 million and add four stops.

Officials say the planned expansion of SunRail’s northern leg – which would have extended the route to DeLand – was dealt a blow in October. The federal government said it wouldn’t provide a $35 million grant. That is half the cost of the $70 million route.

SunRail program manager Tawny Olores says the most recent grant application for federal money has made the short list.

The commuter line opened in 2014 and connects 12 SunRail stations.