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Tri-Rail and Virgin Trains USA ( @GoBrightline) are both making presentations to Miami-Dade's Civilian Independent Transportation Trust right about... now
Steven Abrams of @Tri_Rail says they would like to be able to be formally invited onto the FEC track so that it can be able to finally dock trains at MiamiCentral by May 2021
Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrightline says the Tri-Rail connection to MiamiCentral is 99 percent complete. "The fact that fwe are not running Brightline has helped us accelerate it." The "it" being finishing the required safety system that will enable Tri-Rail to finally dock.
Oops. Looks like federal approval for Tri-Rail to dock at MiamiCentral may not come until October 2021. Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrightline says they're trying to accelerate the process. "Getting PTC up and running" is top priority. PTC being positive train control.
"It is a complicated process," says Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrightline. Alludes to Florida East Coast's freight operation as a complication. Steve Abrams of @Tri_Rail says Gonzalez can be influential in that process.
Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrigtline now explaining the complicated ownership of the Florida East Coast railway line. Tells a CITT board member that the railway and freight is now owned by a Mexican Company. (Grupo Mexico.)
Everything used to be owned by the FEC Railway. But FEC Railway was sold off to Grupo Mexico, while @GoBrightline is owned by the Virgin Group and Fortress Investment Group. FIG, by the way, is owned by SoftBank, which also has an ownership in the major league soccer team.
Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrightline now says they'd love to have @Tri_Rail to operate a future commuter line. But first they got to work out an access agreement with Miami-Dade County.
Steven Abrams of @Tri_Rail says vision was always to get a commuter rail as far north as Palm Beach County along FEC line east of I-95. "We would look forward to eventually fulfilling that vision."
CITT board member: "My concern is something substantive as soon as we can get something done." Adds: "I would like to see something in writing as soon as public so that we know this is going to happen."
Alice Bravo of Miami-Dade Transit says "I do believe the parties are working in good faith to advance this issue."
And now onto the Brightline/Virgin Trains USA train station west of Aventura. Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrighline says they're in the "drawing phase" and moving on to permits. "We have the site plans approved already.... Should be approved now in July."
Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrightline says they want to make sure that commuter rail is accommodated along with the Brightline express train system.
Says some preliminary construction work should being in the end of June at the @GoBrightline Aventura station at land Miami-Dade paid $20 million for. They're also working on designing a west bridge over West Dixie Highway and an east bridge over Biscayne Boulevard.
"We are moving forward to get this station built" and time it along with the creation of a commuter line and the re-activation of Brightline says Virgin Trains USA president.
Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrightline says they are trying to create a "Flagler Trail" that will allow bicycle and pedestrian connectivity with future commuter & Virgin Trains stations.
Alice Bravo of Miami-Dade Transit confirms the county is finalizing an agreement on the design of the Biscayne Boulevard pedestrian bridge connecting the future train station in Ojus with Aventura Mall. The agreement would be with Aventura Mall's owners.
Alice Bravo of Miami-Dade Transit says what is to be determined is where the east end of pedestrian bridge will be built. Prefers it tied with a "transit-oriented" development. Mentions it will be near the bus hub already in the mall. Estimated cost of east bridge: $8 million.
Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrightline says it is essential to get an access agreement ($$$) from Miami-Dade County for this to move forward. Says they're trying to secure federal money to help make this happen. "We're eager to start working at this period of time," Gonzalez says
"We want to be able to work quickly to get federal funding," says Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrightline, regarding the creation of a commuter line along with existing/suspended Brightline service
Jose Gonzalez of @GoBrightline says Turnberry wants to tie bridge with a future development near Aventura Mall.
And I guess that's it. Bottom line, @GoBrightline and @Tri_Rail's top guys say they're working together to create a commuter line that will be managed by Tri-Rail but they want that access fee agreement.
For more on that access fee that @GoBrightline wants, see this @doug_hanks article: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article243195536.html
For a detailed look at when @GoBrightline & @Tri_Rail had some issues in its complicated train relationship, here's an informative @RailwayAge article. https://www.railwayage.com/news/tri-railvirgin-trains-usa-vie-for-miami-access/
And for a look at the saga surrounding the future Aventura station (which is really in unincorporated Ojus), here's my story. Note: the headline plays on the re-branding @GoBrightline keeps threatening to do http://www.biscaynetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3364:virgin-territory&catid=50:community-news&Itemid=258
Oh, wait. It's not over yet. CITT now discussing its recommendation to ensure commuter rail happens along the @GoBrightline controlled FEC railway.
CITT board member asks if there's already a deal to ensure commuter rail along the FEC railway/Northeast Dade corridor. Miami-Dade County attorney says there's only a commitment for negotiations. I think. The county attorney seems somewhat stumped, too.
Actually, the Miami-Dade county official was aspiring to be careful. CITT board member worries that any recommendation from the board might screw everything up.
CITT board members are debating the pros and cons of backing a detailed list of recommendations to Miami-Dade County regarding ensuring a future commuter line along @GoBrightline's at least partially controlled FEC railway
Some CITT board members worry that too many details will kill a deal between @GoBrightline, Miami-Dade, & maybe @Tri_Rail. Others fear an Aventura Station scenario in which the county moves so fast it ignores CITT's recommendations
CITT board member asks if there are in fact meetings taking place between @GoBrightline & Miami-Dade. Alice Bravo of Transit says "we are working with them, engaged consultants, looking at operations issues" & talking with @Tri_Rail's overseers.
"If we can work out some sort of deal that the county can afford, it will be brought back," says Alice Bravo of Miami-Dade Transit regarding a future agreement with @GoBrightline allowing commuter rail at least between MiamiCentral & Aventura Station.
CITT Board Member Glenn Downing says the Transportation Trust is only giving suggestions and has no say until an agreement is presented.
CITT board member Paul Schwieb says this is the only change to influence how the cake is baked before an agreement is drafted.
CITT Chairman Joseph Curbelo says he doesn't care if a commuter rail is run by @GoBrightline or @Tri_Rail, so long as it is up to commuter standards
CITT's list of recommendations regarding commuter rail along the FEC railway passes with two dissenting votes. And, that appears to be it for @GoBrightline and commuter rail.
