Brightline has until mid-summer to work out their agreements with local and state governments so they can get the rail service going from Orlando to Tampa.
It’s been almost two years since the state Department of Transportation granted Brightline permission to negotiate for leases along the proposed route, linking up the two biggest Central Florida cities.
Brad Thoburn is an assistant secretary of the transportation department. He explained, “All parties agree that the corridor contemplated for the construction and operation of the intercity rail between Orlando and Tampa is unique and complex,” Thoburn said. “Therefore, we anticipate revisions to the proposed lease to address those complexities.”
The expressway authority’s executive director, Laura Kelley, said “I am excited about Brightline’s progress to complete their route from Miami to Miami to the Orlando International Airport. Projects such as this give our community more mobility options as our region grows. CFX is looking forward to continuing conversations with Brightline on future expansions of express rail service as we strive to build a world-class transportation system here in Central Florida.”
What needs to happen next? Thoburn explains, “All parties agree that the corridor contemplated for the construction and operation of the intercity rail between Orlando and Tampa is unique and complex. Therefore, we anticipate revisions to the proposed lease to address those complexities.”
“I am excited about Brightline’s progress to complete their route from Miami to the Orlando International Airport,” said the expressway authority’s executive director, Laura Kelley, in a statement. “Projects such as this give our community more mobility options as our region grows. CFX is looking forward to continuing conversations with Brightline on future expansions of express rail service as we strive to build a world-class transportation system here in Central Florida.”
The proposed Orlando to Tampa construction will come after the completion of an extension to Orlando’s airport from existing service between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
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