Brightline expansion approved between Orlando International Airport, Tampa

Board of Directors: Brightline expansion between Orlando International Airport, Tampa approved

Updated: 8:08 PM EDT July 20, 2021

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RELIEF MONEY GOES TO FLORIDA. GREG: THE NATION’S FIRST NATIONAL PERSONAL RAIL SYSTEM IN MORE THAN 100 YEARS IS ON THE WATCH AND A SUMMER PERIOD EXPIRED. ALTHOUGH BRIGHTLINE CONTINUES TO EXTEND A 170 MILE EXTENSION FROM WEST PALM BEACH TO ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL, BRIGHTLINE HAS MADE AGREEMENTS FOR ANOTHER STONE FROM ORLANDO TO TAMPA BY JULY 31st. >> OUR PREFERRED ROUTE WOULD DEVIATE SOUTHERN AND USE THE 417 ORIENTATION. GREG: BRIGHTLINE EXECUTIVES TELLED THE CENTRAL FLORIDA EXPRESSWAY BOARD TO SPEND A BILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD TOLL 417 THROUGH HUNTERS CREEK TO DISNEY AND TAMPA. BUT THE ABOVE ROUTE, ALONG THE BEACHLINE, WOULD BRING CLOSER TO UNIVERSAL, SEAWORLD AND I-4. BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL DRIVE AREA SAY IT MAKES SENSE TO SEND BRIGHTLINE ALONG THE BEACH LINE EXPRESSWAY SO THAT IT IS CLOSER TO THE HOTELS, CONVENTION CENTER, ATTRACTIONS AND OTHER BUSINESSES BEFORE GOING TO DISNEY. BRIGHTLINE SAYS THE ROUTE WOULD COST TWICE AS MUCH. BUT ONE EXPRESSWAY BOARD MEMBER SAID THAT ANY OTHER WAY DOESN’T MAKE SENSE. >> I JUST FEELED IT’S A BIG MISSING WHEN WE DON’T HAVE AN ORIENTATION THAT STRIKES THE CONGRESS CENTER. GREG: THE SOLUTION CAN BE SHARED WITH SUNRAIL, THE LOCAL S-TRAIN, ON ONE LANE TO THE AIRPORT. IT COULD USE THE SAME ROUTING AS THE ORLANDO UTILITIES COMMISSION’S COAL RAILWAY LINE. There is also room for BRIGHTLINE. FLORIDAS TRANSPORT SECRETARY TELLS ME THAT IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO HELP WITH THE MONEY FOR THE FEDERAL RAIL PROJECTS. >> HOW WE WILL COMPLETE NEGOTIATIONS WITH BRIGHTLINE BY JULY, DO YOU HAVE TO SITUATE WITH THE LOCAL PARTNERS AND ANSWER THE QUESTION, WHERE DO WE START FROM HERE? GREG: ORLANDO MAYOR BUDDY DYER SITTING ON THE RAIL COMMISSION. >> MY MAIN PRIORITY IS TO ENSURE SUNRAIL IS A PART OF THIS AND SUNRAIL GETS TO THE AIRPORT. GREG: GREG FOX, WESH 2 NEWS. STEWART: THE FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY ON

Board of Directors: Brightline expansion between Orlando International Airport, Tampa approved

Updated: 8:08 PM EDT July 20, 2021

The proposed Brightline expansion between Orlando International Airport and Tampa has been approved. SEE OUR LAST REPORT ON BRIGHTLINE ON VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE The Central Florida Expressway Authority Board paved the way for Brightline to investigate a high-speed rail route along this corridor. The new 27 km route would connect the Brightline station at the MCO to the I-4 corridor. Brightline is still working with the Florida Department of Transportation on the final leg of the corridor, which would connect Orlando and Tamp with a high-speed rail link. “Today’s support solution brings us one step closer to connecting Orlando and Tampa with Brightline’s state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly intercity train service,” said Christine Kefauver, senior vice president of corporate development for Brightline Florida with the expansion. The expansion project connecting Miami to Orlando is expected to be completed in late 2022.

ORLANDO, Florida –

The proposed Brightline expansion between Orlando International Airport and Tampa has been approved.

SEE OUR LAST REPORT ON BRIGHTLINE IN THE VIDEOPLAYER ABOVE

The Central Florida Expressway Authority Board paved the way for Brightline to investigate a high-speed rail route along this corridor.

The new 27 km route would connect the Brightline station at MCO to the I-4 corridor.

Brightline is still working with the Florida Department of Transportation on the final leg of the corridor that would connect Orlando and Tamp with a high-speed line.

“Today’s end of support brings us one step closer to connecting Orlando and Tampa with Brightline’s modern, environmentally friendly intercity train service,” said Christine Kefauver, Brightline senior vice president of corporate development.

Brightline also hopes to bring thousands of jobs to central Florida with the expansion.

The expansion project, which connects Miami with Orlando, is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

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