Despite concerns raised by citizens groups about project funding and community impacts, the company developing a $2.3-billion Miami-to-Orlando passenger rail system is moving full speed ahead with its ambitious plans for the 235-mile-long line. Officials with All Aboard Florida (AAF)—a division of Florida East Coast Industries (FECI), Coral Gables—held its latest unveiling of design for its third south Florida station, in West Palm Beach, on July 21. In conjunction with the event, AAF tweeted this from President Michael Reininger: "All initial steps for our stations are now underway. This is now, in fact, happening."
According to AAF, construction related to the planned 66.5-mile Miami-to-West Palm Beach segment, where trains will reach speeds of 79 mph, will start later this year, as planned. The roughly $800-million south section, with stops in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, will require 60 miles of double-tracking work, as well as improvements to 10 fixed bridges and 183 grade crossings.