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Miami-Orlando Passenger Train Gets Approval from Two of Three Major Central FL Stakeholders


June 26th, 2013 | WMFE - A passenger train linking Miami and Orlando is a step closer to becoming a reality. All Aboard Florida has reached land-lease agreements with both the Florida Department of Transportation and the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority. The final approval must come from Orlando International Airport.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, All Aboard Florida reached deals to lease land along the Beachline Expressway. The Coral Gables-based All Aboard Florida is owned by a company that already has tracks from Miami to Jacksonville. The 50-year rental contracts, each with an option to extend 49 more years, would allow the company to lay tracks east and operate the nation’s first privately-financed passenger rail system from South Florida through Orlando…if the project gets one more green light.

The $1.5 billion dollar train is still awaiting approval from its planned final destination – the Orlando International Airport. Airport officials say they’re scheduled to meet with representatives from All Aboard Florida on Friday, but they’re staying mum on the details.

If the company reaches a deal with the airport and irons out a few details with private landowners who hold small private tracts along the Beachline, the train is expected to be up and running by late 2015. 

 

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