[11] The money was planned to be used to purchase the tracks SunRail operates on, and also allowed the state to formally request $300 million from the federal government to cover construction costs.

[11] During its first year of operation, SunRail made a total of $7.2 million from a combination of fares, advertising and fees paid by CSX and Amtrak to run their trains through the corridor.

"[17] The contract between CSX and Florida DOT was in place through June 30, 2009, and the legislature planned to use another opportunity to consider and approve the agreement in the 2009 legislative session.

The movement against the project, which was once again led by state senators Paula Dockery and Mike, continued to revolve around an amendment that would have approved a $200 million insurance policy for SunRail.

At the bill's signing Senate President Jeff Atwater said "Today, Florida is embracing the opportunity to lead the nation in developing a comprehensive transportation system, thereby ensuring our competitive edge in the 21st Century global economy.

A comprehensive transportation system, creating opportunities and avenues to connect employers and employees, is integral to building a stronger future for Florida.

Ground was broken at the future Altamonte Springs station site on January 27, 2012, marking the official beginning of construction for Phase 1 of the SunRail project.

[32] By the time Phase 1 construction was completed in early 2014, nearly 32 miles (51 km) of main line single track were double-tracked, three existing CSX freight yards were reconfigured, wayside signal and grade crossing signal improvements were made along the corridor, a total of 12 stations were built, and a new Operations Control Center and Vehicle Storage & Maintenance Facility were constructed.

Each company involved gives money towards the operating expenses in exchange for on-train advertising, logo placement on stations and billboards, and social media promotions.

On August 14, 2015, the state of Florida received the full funding grant agreement from the Federal Transit Administration that moved forward completion of SunRail Phase 2 South.

Congressman John Mica stated that because of the expedited agreement, full funding for the additional 17 miles (27 km) extension was expected to be approved by the end of September.

[41] With matching state and local funding already in place providing an additional $93 million, construction on Phase 2 South was expected to begin in December 2015, but the Florida Department of Transportation delayed the selection of a design/build team until October 26, 2015, thus pushing back the start date by approximately a month.

The parking structure was officially opened on May 10, 2017, and is four stories tall, accommodates 398 cars, and offers EV charging stations and LED lighting that dims when the garage is empty.

[47] The Dana B. Kenyon Company of Jacksonville, Florida was awarded the $31.7 million contract for the Phase 2 southern extension project, including construction at each of the four new stations and new vehicle storage and maintenance facilities.

However, on October 29, 2015, SunRail officials were denied a $35 million federal grant for the 13 mile Phase 2 North extension to Deland in Volusia County due to low ridership projections.

[50] In wake of not receiving federal funding, an additional station in Orange City was briefly considered to boost ridership projections along the Phase 2 North extension.

[51] In early 2021, the Florida Department of Transportation announced they had received $34 million in federal funding for the extension to DeLand with the rest to be paid for by local governments.

[9] The route is made up of the following stations, from north to south: SunRail runs on weekdays (excluding holidays) between the hours of approximately 5:00 am and 11:00 pm, providing 20 trips in each direction.

The test train, which consisted of a locomotive and two cab cars, was part of a 2,500-mile (4,000 km) "burn-in" period that is required prior to the start of revenue service.

[70] The first locomotive, #100, arrived on October 1, 2013, via CSX freight train at the SunRail Operations Control Center in Sanford, Florida, from the MotivePower plant in Boise, Idaho.

[67] Each passenger car is fully wheelchair accessible and equipped with a restroom, space for bicycles, electrical outlets for laptops and phone chargers, and free Wi-Fi.

[83] Tri-Rail, which operates in a very similar densely populated area with many grade crossings, had 93 crashes during its first 15 years, though other systems saw their rates decrease after the initial months.

[84] Due to an accident on October 8, 2015, where a dump truck was parked too close to the tracks and was side-swiped by a train, the Florida Highway Patrol has begun monitoring crossings and station areas.

[90] From the convention center, the corridor will continue southwest along Interstate 4 with an additional station (known as International Drive South) in the vicinity of Walt Disney World.

[93] In June 2022, the Sunshine Corridor and Brightline's proposed extension to Tampa received a $15 million grant from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for a ridership study.

Early proposals also used the existing Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) rail spur, which runs along the southern boundary of the airport's property and is used exclusively by coal trains to serve the Curtis H. Stanton Energy Center in eastern Orange County.

[104] In April 2017, a state study of constructing trackage to the airport found that it would cost about $250 million, and with no funding sources identified the project was left with no timetable for execution.

In late 2020, Brightline added that they were studying the possibility of allowing SunRail to operate on their line between Disney Springs and Innovation Way with stops at Hunter's Creek, the existing Meadow Woods station, and the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Center.

[91] On April 17, 2014, Volusia County and FDOT funded a $2.5 million study to investigate the cost, preliminary design and ridership of a SunRail extension northeast to Daytona Beach.

[109] Seminole County officials have brought up the possibility of extending SunRail to Orlando Sanford International Airport via an existing 4-mile (6.4 km) freight spur.