Privately funded high speed rail project nears finish

What seemed to be a dream that many believed would eventually fade away is well on its way to becoming a reality. In 2011, Florida East Coast Industries (FECI) announced plans for a privately funded passenger rail system envisioned to transform the way people travel throughout Florida. Despite years of anti-rail opposition, operations are expected to start before the end of the year on ambitious project that combines rail transit with transit oriented development. Here is a brief overview of where the $3 billion privately funded passenger rail project currently stands.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center

According to AAF President and Chief Development Officer Michael Reininger, the minute they’re in service, the new railroad line will be looking for ways to expand and enlarge its services. The two most desirable cities for potential expansion are Jacksonville and Tampa. Quietly, back in May 2014, AAF Jacksonville Segment LLC, was created to confirm AAF’s rights to run passenger rail on the Florida East Coast Railway line between Cocoa and Jacksonville.

If the rail system does expand into Jacksonville, it will most likely become an additional transit mode at an impressive downtown intermodal center already under construction. With $40 million already in hand, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority broke ground on the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC) in Winter 2017. When complete in 2019, JRTC will include new administrative offices for the JTA and terminals for local buses, the Flyer BRT system, the JTA Skyway and Greyhound. Located across the street from old Jacksonville Terminal and FEC tracks, a future phase includes the return of intercity and commuter rail lines.

If that’s not enough to get rail advocates excited, Brightline now co-owns the railroad line adjacent to the JRTC, as a result of a Spring 2017 $2.1 billion deal between Fortress Investment Group and Grupo Mexico.

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“The sale of the Florida East Coast Railway does not impact Brightline,” said a spokeswoman, AnneMarie Mathews. “Brightline is a separate company that has dual ownership of the corridor and the right to operate passenger service.”

In the meantime, Jacksonville-based Vestcor Companies is in the process of constructing infill affordable housing apartment developments adjacent to the JRTC construction site.

Elevations of the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center

JRTC October 2017 construction Images