Rail connectivity at Tampa International

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, charged with operating Tampa International Airport, has studied rail feasibility since 2005. We recognize the importance of providing both light-rail connectivity to the citizens of the Tampa Bay community and the importance of connectivity with the high-speed rail system for our passengers. We have considered rail in our future planning as a smart way to grow. We know that rail connectivity will provide a higher level of service for all airport users and the best possible service to the community.

Several airport supporters have expressed concern about our ability to maintain our competitiveness as part of Tampa Bay's economic infrastructure if we do not bring high-speed rail to the airport. The dialogue calling for funding of an airport high-speed rail connection is at best premature, due to the lack of any studies to determine its feasibility, demand and benefit.

The reality is that a light-rail transit system provides the greatest benefit as a transit alternative serving the entire community and maintaining our connectivity to the downtown high-speed rail station.

After completing the 2005 airport master plan, the authority conducted a "Conceptual Planning for a Transit Station and Access" study, which was completed in 2007. In addition to being heralded as a great effort in the Tampa Bay region regarding rail, it provided key information on how to preserve a transit right-of-way to our existing and future terminals.

Our goal was to avoid on-airport development that would prevent a future transitway connection. We developed a rail corridor serving the airport with the ability to continue that corridor to the north, if desirable. The reserved corridor is very limited in width and height due to our terminal, roadway and runway design. The reserved corridor is designed to handle a transit system that is capable of significant grade changes, tight turns and quick acceleration, which are attributes of light-rail technology.

The great news is community efforts have determined light rail is needed, and the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is completing the alternative analysis for the first segments of the light-rail system. Typically, airport connections to a transit system are not conducted in the first phase but are added later in the development plan.

However, with the announcement of high-speed rail funding, the authority requested HART include the airport in its initial implementation of the "WestShore to Downtown" alignment, as we believe it is essential to have connectivity to the high-speed station in the downtown area to maintain our position and grow. In fact, we strongly agree with the efforts of HART and the Metropolitan Planning Organization, both of which have determined light rail and improved bus connections will best serve the community.

We all have a voice in this historic opportunity to create unprecedented economic growth for our area. On behalf of our community-conscious airport board and our dedicated group of employees, we are ready and prepared to serve the entire Tampa Bay community with improved transit alternatives and connectivity to high-speed rail.