Lakeland Ledger: CSX Rail Terminal plans survive political tumult

Thousands of high-paying, high-skill jobs took major steps toward becoming a reality in Winter Haven.

The CSX rail terminal's future hung in the balance of Gov. Rick Scott's long-awaited decision on the Orlando commuter rail project, SunRail, in 2011. Scott had put the project on hold after he shot down high-speed rail between Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando. But despite reservations, he allowed SunRail to continue on July 1 because his hands were tied by how far the project had progressed.

The new rail terminal is needed to service CSX freight trains that will be moving to Polk rail lines to make way for SunRail trains.

A re-zoning application for the project will come before the Planning Commission in January.

Some have estimated that the project, including the business park to be built around the rail terminal, will create up to 6,000 jobs in Polk County.

For the full article, visit the Lakeland Ledger.