On Wednesday, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority announced that a series of agreements have been approved that clears the way for construction to begin on the passenger rail service, All Aboard Florida.
Estimated to cost $1.5 billion and privately owned, operated and maintained by Florida East Coast Industries (FECI), the intercity passenger rail service will run between Orlando Airport and Miami, with stops in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach.
Agreements reached Wednesday call for the Orlando airport to seek grant funds to the tune of $200 million from the state to pay for a station not far from the main terminal at OIA, orlandosentinel.com reported.
“This project defines us as the center of regional transportation and will transform the way visitors and residents travel between two of Florida’s most populated and visited regions,” said GOAA Board Chairman Frank Kruppenbacher. “No Authority funds will be used for construction of the station for All Aboard Florida. Construction funding sources will be finalized over the next couple of months.”
All Aboard Florida would pay the Orlando airport $2.8 million annually for rent, and up to $1.50 per train passenger who leaves from Orlando, the paper also reported.
The passenger rail train will connect South Florida to Orlando through a 240-mile route that combines 200 miles of existing tracks between Miami and Cocoa and the creation of 40 miles of new track to complete the route to Orlando.
More than 50 million people travel between Orlando and South Florida annually for both business and pleasure. Construction could begin as early as next year, with trains starting to run in 2015.
