DeLAND, Fla. — Ceremonies on Friday, Aug. 9, marked the opening of the DeLand SunRail station, the 17th station on the Orlando-area commuter rail line and the northern endpoint of a 12-mile extension that completes the system as originally envisioned.
The West Volusia Beacon reports 300 or more people were on hand for the dedication ceremonies. SunRail service will begin this Monday, Aug. 12, with the first departure from DeLand at 5:30 a.m.
The opening of the DeLand station comes some 10 years after service began at the next station to the south, in DeBary, and after a period in which rising costs for the northern extension led to discussion of cancelling the final 12-mile addition. Ultimately, the extension — at one time estimated to cost $120 million — was completed for $43 million, with Volusia County borrowing the $11 million for its share from the State Infrastructure Bank.
“This has not been an easy ride … but here we are,” said Volusia County Chair Jeff Brower, chair of SunRail’s parent agency, the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission.
Nice. Extending service into the city of DeLand proper would be nicer. The branch ends one block away from Stetson University.