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We Need Light Rail, Mayor Tells Club

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By MICHELE SAGER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 30, 2008

CARROLLWOOD - Will residents in northern Hillsborough County ever see the day they can park their cars and hop a train to downtown Tampa? Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio hopes so.

The mayor spoke at the Carrollwood Kiwanis Club last week and said getting a light rail system built in the Tampa area is on the top of her wish list.

"We need a light rail system," Iorio said. "We have it all in Tampa but I believe that's the one missing piece. We have to give people options."

Iorio said the Tampa Bay area gives residents choices in sports, education and recreation but not in transportation.

"I think we've seen the last of the cheap gas," Iorio said.

The mayor said she wants to see a voter's referendum pushing for light rail.

"I know it's going to be controversial and people are going to fight it and people are going to say it's too expensive," she said. "But what I've learned from my years in public service is that roads are expensive."

Iorio noted that the improvements to the State Road 60 interchange near Tampa International Airport will cost about $220 million and that the widening of 40th Street will cost about $100 million.

Although the city, along with the rest of the nation, faces tough economic times, Iorio said Tampa is committed to progress.

"You've got to keep investing in your community," she said, noting the city will soon open three new museums and a Riverwalk project linking downtown communities.

Iorio also noted that Tampa is gearing up to host the Super Bowl next year.

"People ask me if we're sprucing up the city for the big day," she said. "I tell them I believe in sprucing up the city for the people who live here. We've got it all here and we've got to keep investing."

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-1523 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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