Brightline in the News (August)

[spuwho]

I guess Brightline needs to pay their bills:



Sprint is taking them to court for the cost of the fiber relocation.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/transportation/fl-reg-sprint-sues-brightline-20170720-story.html

The communications company has filed a lawsuit in Miami federal court against the parent-company of Brightline and a second company with ties to Florida East Coast Industries.

According to the lawsuit, Sprint billed All Aboard Florida and FDG Flagler Station II $882,767.24 on Sept. 6 after agreeing to relocate some of its fiber optic cables as part of the infrastructure improvements for the Brightline high speed passenger rail service expected to launch in the fall.

Sprint said it received a partial payment of $236,500.84 on Nov. 23 and nothing more.

The breach of contract lawsuit seeks the $646,266.40 balance plus interest, damages, reasonable attorney fees, associated expenses, and court costs.

Sprint has requested a jury trial.

Brightline train part of suicide death

http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/local/update-woman-struck-and-killed-brightline-train-ruled-suicide/WFz8KU9lFqN0IAhYqEllXK/

A woman was struck and killed by a Brightline train Monday afternoon as it traveled through Boca Raton on the Florida East Coast Railway tracks, a police spokeswoman said.

The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. between 20th and 28th Streets near Dixie Highway. It is being investigated as an apparent suicide, Boca Raton Police spokeswoman Jessica Desir said.

Desir said she did not know which direction the train was traveling in when it struck the woman, whose name was not released by police.

Brightline said Monday it is working with authorities as they investigate.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected," the company said in a statement. "We are cooperating with the local authorities as they complete their investigation."

Brightline is set to launch service between West Palm Beach and Miami later this summer. In preparation for the start of its service, the company has been testing its trains along the FEC line.


Fort Pierce is pursuing a Brightline train stop

http://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/columnists/rich-campbell/2017/07/27/yay-fort-pierce-pursuing-brightline-train-stop-rich-campbell/509444001/

"Next stop on our Brightline route, the city of Fort Pierce."

OK, it's a stretch. But if there is one city on the Treasure Coast clearly positioned, geographically and otherwise, to secure a passenger train stop, it is the Sunrise City.

Stop the presses!

It turns out Fort Pierce is pursuing this objective.

"The city of Fort Pierce is continuously exploring regional transportation improvements to enhance the connectivity of our community," said Shyanne Helms, the city's communications manager, via email. "The city is pursuing a passenger rail stop for Fort Pierce and is open to discussion with all rail services, including (but not limited to) Brightline."

The first step in securing a train stop is requesting a site analysis study from All Aboard Florida.

"We talked with All Aboard Florida a few weeks ago about a site analysis study," said Rebecca Grohall, the city's planning director. "We are in the process of putting together a meeting with rail officials for mid- to late August."

Circumstances appear optimal for Fort Pierce to make such a request of Brightline.

Martin, Indian River counties renew objections about Brightline

http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/martin-indian-river-counties-renew-objections-about-brightline/axsEVWgDcOHS16ZC0yrrzK/

Renewing their objections to Brightline's proposed high-speed rail service from West Palm Beach to Orlando, officials in the Treasure Coast are demanding another look at how the trains would affect their region.
Brightline dismissed the call for another impact assessment, which could further delay the much-anticipated Orlando leg, as "fear mongering."

In a July 26 letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, county attorneys from Martin and Indian River counties said a 2015 regulatory review "has become stale and aged through the passage of time and changes in circumstances."

The letter, also signed by Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida, notes that two companies involved in the operation of Brightline changed hands this year. Japanese giant SoftBank bought Fortress Investment Group, the owner of the rail service, and Grupo Mexico snapped up the Florida East Coast railroad tracks on which the train operates.

[Gunnar]

I don't really see the relevance of the suicide, as sad as it is for all involved.

[spuwho]

I don't really see the relevance of the suicide, as sad as it is for all involved.

There was more to the story before suicide was determined.

As you may recall, the anti-Brightline crowd have been blowing their horn on how unsafe the trains are.

So there was scrutiny on the causes.

[Gunnar]

Thanks - get it now.

[avonjax]

Why is there a group called "Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida?" Why not just yahoo's who are against everything but cars? Just wondering.

[spuwho]

Why is there a group called "Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida?" Why not just yahoo's who are against everything but cars? Just wondering.

CARE was started by a housewife who followed up on a ad in the paper for a public hearing from the TPO on new transportation services on the FEC.

She didnt like it and made the rounds with various politicians and found out they all supported it except a couple in Martin County.

So she organized a bunch of rallies to raise awareness of the plan and found a bunch of people who agreed.

Unfortunately, much of the groups growth was based on some distortions of the facts and people got stirred up.

On the flip side, CARE and some others who have pushed back on Brightline have forced them to be more responsive to public input( or at least listen).

But they were really a little behind the 8 ball and so they went legal and lost what little level of conversation they were having with AAF on any remediation.

They convinced 2 county boards to spend 1.3 million in legal fees to stop Brightline (unsuccessfully).

They crowed about how much tax subsidy Brightline was getting, but didnt waste 2 seconds asking Gov Scott for a tax subsidy to pay for the new crossings.

As it stands right now Brightline has sold no tax freebonds and paid for everything privately. Martin and Indian River still have to pay for the crossing upgrades after the Florida Legislature couldnt get the bill voted to pay for crossings.

My take is if they had stayed rational, worked with the local politicos on the noise/crossing remediation plan, they would havegotten what 1.3 million hasnt produced so far.

Just my 2 cents.

[spuwho]

I drove down the Beachline today and noticed that OOCEA is reconstructing the Celebration exit.

Ok so what?

Major new bridging with 2 portals for AAF to pass through is the deal. The elevation starts sooner and the exit ramps are being redone to clear the future railroad.

I was surprised as I didnt think OOCEA was going to do anything until AAF got their bonds worked out.

I know there was some horse trading going on around that exit upgrade in the lease agreement. I just didn't think they were going to execute.

With lead times for doing contracts, it actually makes sense.

[tufsu1]

I am confused - where is the Celebration exit on the Beachline? The community is a good bit southwest of the expressway

[thelakelander]

Yeah, Celebration isn't anywhere near the Beachline. I assume spuwho meant Innovation Way or Avalon Park?

[spuwho]

Sorry, I got my control points messed up.  It was a long day at NASA yesterday.

It must have been Innovation Way.

I got Celebration in my head when I took 417 south to swing behind the airport.

Apologies.

[ProjectMaximus]

Sorry, I got my control points messed up.  It was a long day at NASA yesterday.

Are you an astronaut too??!

[spuwho]

Sorry, I got my control points messed up.  It was a long day at NASA yesterday.

Are you an astronaut too??!

No, I am not. But I wanted to be one once upon a time. Just visiting.

But my uncle worked on Gemini and Apollo. He got a letter from President Nixon thanking him for his work on Apollo.

My mom went to high school with Skylab astronaut Owen Garriott.

I told my parents that I would be the first of our family to reach space. I just hope its not my ashes.