Florida East Coast Industries, Inc. Announces Plans for Private Passenger Rail Service in Florida

[SDK4]

So any closer to this actually happening or still far away?

[DGM]

They've done massing studies, determined where the track needs to be double-tracked, selected architects, selected train suppliers. This proposal is dead serious. I think they're supposed to start construction in the first quarter of 2013. The big potential set backs are arranging the land deal for the Cocoa-Orlando stretch and working out where to put the station at MCO. Fortunately, MCO already had done a large masterplan which included a rail station, since it was supposed to be the terminus of the Tampa-Orlando high speed rail, so it looks like that is moving smoothly too.

[SDK4]

Originally Posted by DGM

They've done massing studies, determined where the track needs to be double-tracked, selected architects, selected train suppliers. This proposal is dead serious. I think they're supposed to start construction in the first quarter of 2013. The big potential set backs are arranging the land deal for the Cocoa-Orlando stretch and working out where to put the station at MCO. Fortunately, MCO already had done a large masterplan which included a rail station, since it was supposed to be the terminus of the Tampa-Orlando high speed rail, so it looks like that is moving smoothly too.

That would be fantastic, I'd hope if they can make this happen that High Speed Rail could make a comeback in Florida with more private backing if they can see that there is a high demand for rail service between Orlando and Miami.

[Lakelander]

The FEC project is basically a replacement for the old HSR link between Orlando and Tampa. In other words, this is Florida's HSR.

[Lakelander]

Here are some station planning concepts from their environmental study:

Miami:



Fort Lauderdale:



West Palm Beach:

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by Lakelander

The FEC project is basically a replacement for the old HSR link between Orlando and Tampa. In other words, this is Florida's HSR.

Actually it is the replacement for the ORL-MIA portion of the Florida High Speed Rail......but we all hope that it will be expanded to Tampa in the not to distant future!

Steve

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by DGM

They've done massing studies, determined where the track needs to be double-tracked, selected architects, selected train suppliers.

Did they select the train supplier yet? Last I saw it was between two bids, one bidding with reconditioned bi-level trains last used on the Santa Fe El Capitan service and another unnamed "international" train supplier - theorized to be Sumitomo since they are building the new Amtrak Bi-level cars.

The pictures released were from the Corridor Capital Trains proposal (ex-Santa Fe trains)

Steve

[jzquince69]

the Miami massing studies remind me of the air rights issues back in the 1950's-60's in Chicago when they built the Prudential Building above the existing tracks just east of Michigan Ave.

The massing studies at OIA will start and end with the South Terminal project and intermodal center I gather.

[SkyDiveJunkee]

^That would be my hope (direct connection to South Terminal). The cheaper and easier option for FEC would be to build a separate station facility at the airport, but one that is not directly connected to the South Terminal. Hopefully, this does not happen and the great South Terminal plans come to fruition (along with the light and commuter rail connections).

[jzquince69]

what ever happened to the Intermodal Center proposal that was in the news last year at OIA? that grand atrium building?

[Lakelander]

I believe FECI wants OIA to build their portion of it, while FECI covers the cost of the rail terminal.

[SDK4]

This all seems too good to be true, everyone wins and chips in their fair share.

[mr jones]

Regarding Fort Lauderdale, what is their plan for that station... build on top of BCT Central Terminal?

[DGM]

I saw in one of FECI's press releases that MCO would be starting a "$500 million expansion" concurrently with All Aboard's station construction. Just a couple months ago MCO announced a $470 million expansion South of the main terminal that would include a People Mover expansion, roadwork, and new parking. This leads me to believe that MCO will actually put the All Aboard station at the South terminal. They want to finish the garage and People Mover expansion by June 2015, which lines up perfectly with All Aboard's plans. The actual terminal will come later.

Also, Steve, I guess you're right that it is between two suppliers at the moment.

[ThatFloridaDude]

Still hoping for this!!

[Lakelander]

Just in case you guys aren't aware:

AAF Press Release: April 17, 2013


All Aboard Florida and the Federal Railroad Administration announce a series of public scoping meetings/open houses to begin the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental and related impacts of constructing and operating an intercity passenger rail service between Orlando and Miami with intermediate stations in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

Four meetings will be held along the study area between May 1 and May 9, 2013. We invite you to attend a meeting and share your comments on the project. Identical information will be shown at each meeting. For more information on the meetings and locations, please see the meeting notice on our website.

If you cannot attend a meeting but wish to submit a comment, they must be postmarked or emailed by May 15, 2013, to Catherine Dobbs, Transportation Industry Analyst, Office of Railroad Policy and Development, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590, or catherine.dobbs@dot.gov.

For more information on the meetings, please contact Public Affairs Manager Ali Soule, 305-520-2105, or eis@allaboardflorida.com.

Thank you,

All Aboard Florida Team

Please visit our website for more information and share this email with interested parties so they can receive updates from All Aboard Florida. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.


From the AAF website:

http://www.allaboardflorida.com/wp-c...tification.pdf


Wednesday, May 1, 2013
3:30 to 7 p.m.
Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel – Milan Ballroom
5445 Forbes Place
Orlando, FL 32812


Monday, May 6, 2013
3:30 to 7 p.m.
Culmer Center – Multipurpose Room
1600 NW 3rd Ave.
Miami, FL 33136


Tuesday, May 7, 2013
3:30 to 7 p.m.
Gaines Park Community Center – Addie Greene Hall East
1505 N. Australian Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401


Thursday, May 9, 2013
3:30 to 7 p.m.
Havert L. Fenn Center – Room 5
2000 Virginia Ave.
Fort Pierce, FL 34982