Virgin Trains USA has the funding to start construction on a rail link between Orland and West Palm Beach, and the system has launched its official rebranding under its new ownership.
"Brightline, the high-speed rail service from West Palm Beach to Miami, has now secured funding to lay tracks heading north to Orlando," reports Thomas Forester.
The funding will come from a $1.75 billion bond sale. "Virgin Trains says the company’s new bond issue was also used to refund $600 million in bonds the rail service sold back in 2017," according to Forester.
Treasure Coast officials are pitching the Brightline as an alternative to driving in an increasingly congested region, but some opponents think the tracks could worsen congestion by conflicting with streets and car traffic.
While the article refers to the train system as Brightline, Richard Branson was on hand in Miami this week to officially launch the rebranding of the company after Virgin bought Brightline late last year and renamed the company Virgin Trains USA.
FULL STORY: Brightline secures funding to Orlando, plans to open Walt Disney World station
Virgin Trains USA Not Restarting Service Yet
The closely monitored private rail company says it has no plans to reopen in Florida any time soon, even as the state relaxes its stay-at-home orders and intercity rail in other parts of the country prepares to restart.
Ridership Stagnant, Virgin Trains Prepares to Expand
Depending on your interest and perspective, the lede might be buried here.
Brightline Opening to Central Florida Delayed
The high-speed rail connection between West Palm Beach and Orlando will not open on time for the holiday weekend as originally planned.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service