MIAMI — Brightline has begun the process of adding an intermediate station on its recently opened extension to Orlando, Fla., today issuing a Request for Proposals for the “Treasure Coast” area of St. Lucie and Martin counties, north of West Palm Beach.
The company will accept proposals from private or public land owners along the Brightline/Florida East Coast rail line in the two counties that meet qualifications outlined in the RFP, and has set private, one-one-one meetings with eligible applicants for Nov.28 for applicants in St. Lucie County and Nov. 29 in Martin County. Proposal submissions are due Dec. 22.
“We’re excited to begin the process of identifying a station location in the Treasure Coast and have seen tremendous support from the local community,” Brightline CEO Michael Reininger said in a press release. “Expanding Brightline into the Treasure Coast region will make Brightline one of the most accessible forms of transportation in Florida, giving access to nearly half of the state’s residents.”
The Request for Proposals, available here, seeks a site of at least 2 acres with the ability to accommodate 200 parking spaces and a platform of at least 500 feet, among other requirements. It projects a site will be selected in the first quarter of 2024, with the design, environmental, and permitting process proceeding through 2025 and construction beginning in 2026, with the station opening in the first quarter of 2028.
Brightline has previously added intermediate stations in South Florida at Boca Raton and Aventura, and both led to significant boosts in usage [see “Ridership remains strong at Brightline’s new stations,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 23, 2023].
Southwest Airlines just announced a large shift of their Caribbean routes from Ft Lauderdale to Orlando. Some were asking if the Brightline service played a role in the shift. Southwest was one of the original objectors to MCO building a new terminal next to the Brightline station. It would be interesting to see what the tea leaves will reveal and if Brightline is causing a rethink of certain air routes in/out of Florida.
Being a central FL resident, I have yet to ride; waiting on the sppedup from 90 to 110mph on the Cocoa to W. Palm segemt.
Anyone have an update?
It’s an appropriate decision. Well done dear Brightline!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün