Two years after Gov. Rick Scott rejected a federal proposal for high-speed rail in Florida, a privately funded project for an express line connecting Orlando and Miami is just one deal away from beginning construction.
All Aboard Florida, a private company based in Coral Gables, has plans to build a line that would connect Orlando to Miami in just under three hours. It would also make stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
The company gained approval last week from Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority and from the Florida Department of Transportation to lease portions of the right-of-way needed for the line. Now all that is needed is a final deal with the Orlando International Airport, the line’s destination, before construction can begin.
The company hopes to have the service in operation by the end of 2015. It will be building new stations in each of the four cities.
All Aboard plans to market the line to tourists and business travelers in particular. The company will provide WiFi and meal service on board.
