WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A proposed 3-mile extension of Tri-Rail service at the northern end of its route to reach the VA Medical Center in West Palm could cost up to $94 million to build, according to a feasibility study by the commuter rail operator’s parent agency.
The study by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority also estimates the cost to extend service from the current terminus at Mangonia Park would cost between $3.5 million and $5.5 million to operate, while attracting more than 700 riders a day. That could rise to 1,200 per day by 2045, the Palm Beach Post reports.
The proposal would require the SFRTA or state to purchase right-of-way from CSX Transportation, with CSX retaining a freight easement, and construction of a new station at the VA Medical Center. That station would include a center platform with at-grade access, a pedestrian bridge with elevators across State Road 710, bus bays on State Road 710; a 100-space parking lot; and a designated area for shuttles.
The SFRTA board authorized staff to begin negotiations with CSX, which offered to sell the line segment for $11 million in 1995 when Tri-Rail attempted to negotiate an agreement to use the tracks. The authority balked at the cost at that time, the Post reports. The project will probably be contingent on finding a dedicated funding source for transit projects; Palm Beach County officials are considering a 2026 ballot measure for a sales-tax increase for that purpose.
It seems that the RRs are slowly selling ROW to add to their bottom line?
Let’s look at what CSX has to lose in this sale: Taxes on the property, maintenance of the right of way costs, probably with upgraded track, access to the line on a 24 hour basis. (If they are willing to sell it’s probably not a main line.) Again they will look at the profit this year not the long term benefits.
Well, it’s going to cost a lot more than $11 million now for that segment of CSX track.