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chris08876 Jul 29, 2015 3:39 PM

Tri-Rail downtown link picks up steam

http://mt1.miamitoday.netdna-cdn.com...florida-4c.jpg

Quote:

Putting one of the final pieces of a complicated puzzle into place, directors of the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously Monday to contribute $17.5 million for the extension of Tri-Rail into downtown Miami.

“This will be paid by bond proceeds, and we will make sure no bond is issued until the property comes onto the tax rolls,” said Clarence E. Woods III, agency executive director.

MiamiCentral, which will house Tri-Rail and All Aboard Florida terminals, is slated for completion next year, he said.

With a negotiating team led by Keon Hardemon, redevelopment agency chair and Miami commissioner, the agency won many of the perks during negotiations with the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which manages Tri-Rail, and All Aboard Florida, Mr. Woods said.

They include minority hiring with a preference to residents of five low-income ZIP codes surrounding the station during construction and when it is open for business. The redevelopment agency will receive discounted advertising on the platforms, and the train operators have promised paid internships and the creation of an entrepreneurial training program for area residents.

“They’re committed to making sure there are jobs for residents, and these are enhanced living wages,” Mr. Woods said.

As part of the development of MiamiCentral – a privately funded multi-modal transportation hub under construction by All Aboard Florida – the addition of two train platforms would allow for connection of the current Tri-Rail passenger service (west of I-95 ending at the airport) to Downtown Miami, as well as provide the facilities needed to support the planned coastal link that will ultimately take Tri-Rail service north along the Florida East Coast Railway corridor to Jupiter.

The total cost to bring Tri-Rail into MiamiCentral station is estimated at nearly $70 million, which is to be borne by the Florida Department of Transportation, City of Miami, both the Southeast Overtown/Park West and Omni redevelopment agencies, Miami-Dade County, metropolitan planning organizations in South Florida, Miami’s Downtown Development Authority, All Aboard Florida, the regional transportation authority and the state.

In May, the city’s Downtown Development Authority agreed to spend $1.3 million over the next three years to support the Tri-Rail extension.

Last month the Miami-Dade County Commission’s Transit and Mobility Services Committee approved $13.9 million in funding to the Tri-Rail plan.

On June 25, Miami city commissioners met as the board of the Omni Redevelopment District Community Redevelopment Agency and authorized a two-year reimbursement grant in an amount not to exceed $1,875,000 annually ($3.75 million total), to assist with the extension of direct Tri-Rail service into Downtown Miami.

At their meeting July 23, Miami commissioners approved a resolution authorizing City Manager Daniel Alfonso to execute an agreement with the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority and a contribution of $8.347 million to design, construct and finance the Tri-Rail downtown connection.

Tri-Rail Executive Director Jack Stephens told city commissioners that the rail link into the heart of Miami will change the face of transportation for the city and the county.

The commission’s resolution stated, “… the City has determined that it would be in its best interest to facilitate travel between the City and other urban centers across South Florida for the benefit of its City residents and visitors by supporting SFRTA’s extension of its commuter rail service to Downtown Miami.”

All Aboard Florida, the private rail line planned to operate between Miami and Orlando owned by Florida East Coast Railway, offered the regional transportation authority the opportunity to run tracks and Tri-Rail trains into the vast station it is building downtown.

Tri-Rail runs on CSX tracks now, while the planned All Aboard Florida trains are to run on FEC tracks.
=============================
http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2015/0...icks-up-steam/

chris08876 Aug 6, 2015 9:24 PM

Video Link

chris08876 Aug 7, 2015 6:14 PM

Orlando-to-Miami train gets key vote to move forward

Quote:

The All Aboard Florida train that would link Miami with Orlando International Airport won the crucial approval of a state board Wednesday night, allowing the 235-mile system to borrow nearly $1.75 billion at a low interest and tax-exempt rate.

The 3-0 decision by the Florida Development Finance Commission greatly increases the likelihood that the Coral Gables-based operation will have its trains running in South Florida by early 2017 and into Orlando by late 2017.

The vote capped a contentious eight-hour public hearing in downtown Orlando attended by several hundred people, many of whom lined up to speak for and against the proposal by the company that traces its lineage to the state’s original train builder, Henry Flagler.

In all, more than 80 people took to the podium, many going over their allotted three-minute limit. A little more than half were in favor of the train, which is supposed to hit a top speed of about 125 mph.

Both opponents and proponents arranged for buses to take people to the event, which drew from all over the state. Many supporters wore mustard-colored stickers saying “I’m All Aboard,” while foes favored home-made signs, including one that said “Do Not Sentence Our Treasure Coast To Death.”

Opponents came mostly from the Treasure Coast counties of Martin, Indian River and St. Lucie. They do not have a stop and vowed to continue fighting the train, though it was not clear what they intended to do next.

Melanie Treewind of the St. Lucie Historical Society suggested people might sue or even lay down on the tracks to stop All Aboard Florida.

And Janet Campbell of Jupiter complained that the finance commission was not interested in their concerns.
========================
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/os-...805-story.html

202_Cyclist Aug 7, 2015 8:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris08876 (Post 7120708)

Wow! Look at that-- invest in infrastructure and we'll create good jobs.

mrsmartman Aug 8, 2015 1:45 AM

^^ Why don't they place more stops to let Florida all aboard?

electricron Aug 8, 2015 4:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsmartman (Post 7122195)
^^ Why don't they place more stops to let Florida all aboard?

Because they don't have to. ;) Why build a station in a city that will do everything in its power to tear it down? Would AAF even be able to get permits in that city to build a station? I don't think so. :) You build stations where you're wanted. :tup:

And some lessons that should be learned by nimbys; (1) Environmental impact studies are designed to find remedies for any environmental damages a project may create, not to kill a project altogether, (2) the FRA and EPA have never found any train project bad for the environment, and lastly (3) government programs designed to encourage businesses build infrastructure just about always favors these business, because that's why these programs were legislated.

eleven=11 Aug 8, 2015 4:54 PM

http://www.wsvn.com/story/29727961/n...ida-to-orlando
nice video

N830MH Aug 9, 2015 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleven=11 (Post 7122556)

Sorry, man! I can't get a news. That's not right one. Please find a right website with real official release.

Hamilton Aug 9, 2015 3:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsmartman (Post 7122195)
^^ Why don't they place more stops to let Florida all aboard?



High-spped trains take time to accelerate coming out of a station and decelerate going into a station. If you put stops too close together, the train will not have enough time to accelerate to or decelerate from top speed, defeating the purpose of a high-speed train altogether. That's why you should only put stops in major destinations.

Kngkyle Aug 9, 2015 4:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamilton (Post 7123200)
High-spped trains take time to accelerate coming out of a station and decelerate going into a station. If you put stops too close together, the train will not have enough time to accelerate to or decelerate from top speed, defeating the purpose of a high-speed train altogether. That's why you should only put stops in major destinations.

They can, and I suspect will, add additional stops down the road for 'local' service trains. Stuart / Fort Piece / Vero Beach / Cocoa (Cape Canaveral) and perhaps a few between the big 3 MIA/FLL/WPB.

bobdreamz Aug 9, 2015 7:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kngkyle (Post 7123230)
They can, and I suspect will, add additional stops down the road for 'local' service trains. Stuart / Fort Piece / Vero Beach / Cocoa (Cape Canaveral) and perhaps a few between the big 3 MIA/FLL/WPB.

Actually I think the only additional stop will be at Cocoa / Cape Canaveral since that is home base for the Disney cruise ships. AAF will not add any additional service between the big 3 MIA/FLL/WPB since Tri-Rail's Coastal Link will eventually take care of that.
Besides the distance between downtown Miami & downtown Ft. Lauderdale is only 27 miles.

eleven=11 Aug 9, 2015 7:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N830MH (Post 7122861)
Sorry, man! I can't get a news. That's not right one. Please find a right website with real official release.

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/08/02...i-development/
try this one. video about downtown miami.

N830MH Aug 10, 2015 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleven=11 (Post 7123383)
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/08/02...i-development/
try this one. video about downtown miami.

I just got it!! Thanks!

Lakelander Aug 10, 2015 2:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kngkyle (Post 7123230)
They can, and I suspect will, add additional stops down the road for 'local' service trains. Stuart / Fort Piece / Vero Beach / Cocoa (Cape Canaveral) and perhaps a few between the big 3 MIA/FLL/WPB.

Eventually, they'll run an Amtrak line between Jax and Miami. Stops in smaller cities like Fort Pierce and Vero Beach will more than likely be served by Amtrak.

UrbanImpact Aug 10, 2015 4:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakelander (Post 7123962)
Eventually, they'll run an Amtrak line between Jax and Miami. Stops in smaller cities like Fort Pierce and Vero Beach will more than likely be served by Amtrak.

There's already an Amtrak line that goes from Miami to Jacksonville with many stops. It actually goes from Miami to New York City, the Silver Service. Although it does not serve the treasure coast and heads twards the middle of the state North of West Palm.

Lakelander Aug 10, 2015 6:59 PM

^That's down the CSX line through the center of the state. Amtrak, FDOT and FEC have been talking for quite a while about running a corridor service down the FEC between Jax and Miami as well. The last update I had is that it would be most likely piggybacking the investments being made by AAF.

http://www.tcrpc.org/special_project...%20website.jpg

http://www.tcrpc.org/special_project...mtrak_home.htm

eleven=11 Aug 13, 2015 11:33 PM

if AAF only has 4 stations at least they are good ones.
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflor...1.html?ana=twt
big news for downtown WPB, also the expansion of the CityPlace shopping center nearby.

N830MH Aug 14, 2015 5:31 AM

I found this.

Did they already approved? Is Amtrak will be in St. Augustine, FL?

http://www.tcrpc.org/special_project...n%20Coming.pdf

Lakelander Aug 14, 2015 10:15 AM

^Rick Scott killed HSR and AAF came out of no where. The AAF project basically put the FEC/Amtrak thing on ice, for the time being. A decision was made to get AAF off the ground first. The capacity improvements being made for AAF should make it cheaper for the Amtrak project to get implemented.

eleven=11 Aug 15, 2015 8:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleven=11 (Post 7128762)
if AAF only has 4 stations at least they are good ones.
http://www.bizjournals.com/southflor...1.html?ana=twt
big news for downtown WPB, also the expansion of the CityPlace shopping center nearby.

what city will have the better downtown (in 2016-7) WPB or FtLaud?
http://www.allaboardflorida.com/imag...l.jpg?sfvrsn=4

mrsmartman Aug 16, 2015 4:11 AM

Top 5 Misconceptions About All Aboard Florida

Video Link

eleven=11 Aug 21, 2015 4:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsmartman (Post 7131016)
Top 5 Misconceptions About All Aboard Florida

Video Link

damm these guys are young
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEmI9zJY_3o
more than half my age (or less than 1/2 my age?)
oh well, cant wait for construction pics

eleven=11 Aug 25, 2015 3:08 AM

http://www.trbimg.com/img-55d78b17/t...21/900/900x506
orlando station news??

scalziand Aug 25, 2015 3:55 PM

^^Nice to see the absurdity of the 'STOP BIG CHOO-CHOO' video called out.

eleven=11 Aug 26, 2015 5:02 AM

http://therealdeal.com/miami/blog/20...-office-tower/
new Publix or Whole Foods?? downtown miami
are the freight tracks closed while re-construction of tracks
thru dade/broward/palm??
http://www.thenextmiami.com/index.ph...-miamicentral/
more news 3miamicentral....

bobdreamz Aug 27, 2015 4:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleven=11 (Post 7142606)
http://therealdeal.com/miami/blog/20...-office-tower/
new Publix or Whole Foods?? downtown miami
are the freight tracks closed while re-construction of tracks
thru dade/broward/palm??
http://www.thenextmiami.com/index.ph...-miamicentral/
more news 3miamicentral....

Downtown Miami has about 3-4 Publix grocery stores in the downtown/ Brickell area plus a Whole Foods right in the heart of downtown so I don't know why they would need more.

eleven=11 Aug 29, 2015 6:57 PM

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/br...828-story.html
very good article about freight trains & track construction.
also Ericka.
http://t.co/HdX6JAvdkt

eleven=11 Aug 31, 2015 10:11 PM

more stuff coming to downtown miami
http://www.wsj.com/articles/in-miami...ies-1440529189

eleven=11 Sep 9, 2015 11:22 PM

2016?
http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/...-aboard/nnbWT/

eleven=11 Sep 15, 2015 12:17 AM

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CO3nXCuUwAA3asX.jpg:large

UrbanImpact Sep 15, 2015 4:59 PM

^^^ Beautiful!

a very long weekend Sep 15, 2015 6:24 PM

will become a united states icon featured in films and teevee for decades.

aquablue Sep 16, 2015 4:16 AM

That station has the M support structures for Miami?

bobdreamz Sep 18, 2015 4:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquablue (Post 7165334)
That station has the M support structures for Miami?

What are "M support structures"?

eleven=11 Sep 21, 2015 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleven=11 (Post 7158281)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...t_of_Miami.jpg
related i guess

eleven=11 Sep 24, 2015 11:34 PM

3 miami central under construction
http://www.thenextmiami.com/index.ph...l-in-overtown/
maybe a Trader Joe's ??
http://www.scribd.com/doc/282617858/aafar
love this scribd site. view it full screen.

bobdreamz Sep 30, 2015 11:18 PM

City easement lets railroad go airborne
 
City easement lets railroad go airborne
Written by John Charles Robbins on September 29, 2015

In order to build its MiamiCentral train station downtown with elevated tracks, All Aboard Florida needed an aerial easement over Miami streets. City commissioners last week granted the easement to a company affiliated with All Aboard Florida, DT Miami LLC.

MiamiCentral, an inter-city passenger rail station and intermodal transportation center, will offer a private passenger rail link to Orlando.

The heart of the station will be a five-train track structure elevated 50 feet. All Aboard Florida said the station’s framework includes 75 train piers to hold up about 5,000 linear feet of track.

Commissioners voted to convey a permanent aerial easement to DT Miami LLC for All Aboard Florida railroad terminal uses across Northwest Fifth and Sixth streets, waiving user fees.

DT Miami plans to construct permanent All Aboard Florida elevated railroad platforms for trains and passenger waiting areas across the city right-of-ways and the Metrorail corridor, the resolution states.

The legislation cites the value of the rail link. “The All Aboard Florida passenger railroad system is of regional importance that serves the tri-county [Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach County] area,” it reads.

The resolution says the aerial easement serves a public purpose “to expand and promote business and job creation in the community, as well as serving the transportation purpose of a new railroad and providing a connecting corridor.”

The new station is to be integrated with the Miami-Dade County Metrorail and Metromover systems, possibly link with Tri-Rail, and is being considered a major transit hub for the city with connections to buses, trolleys, taxis and more.

City Manager Daniel Alfonso pointedly alerted commissioners to the estimated value of the easement, which he said was about $1.4 million. If the city is ever asked to joint venture with All Aboard Florida, it could consider the $1.4 million value as matching funds, he said.

MiamiCentral is to start passenger service in early 2017 between Miami and West Palm Beach, with Orlando runs targeted to begin in late 2017.

The new rail station is part of a larger plan to transform vacant downtown property into a new mixed-use neighborhood with hotel, office, residential and commercial uses.

All Aboard Florida parcels extend north from about Northwest First to Eighth streets, generally east of Northwest First Court. The linear stretch was once home to the city’s main train depot.

http://mt1.miamitoday.netdna-cdn.com...rd-florida.jpg

http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2015/0...d-go-airborne/

eleven=11 Oct 1, 2015 3:21 AM

are the train tracks closed?
is Port of Miami only Trucking freight?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQEmnYLWsAEqAUY.jpg:large
this is a new photo of downtown WPB

bobdreamz Oct 1, 2015 3:45 AM

^ There are no train tracks now where the AAF station will be built. There is a spur before the future station that heads east to the Port of Miami and that is only for freight.

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/...psd7gzygf1.jpg
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/...psd7gzygf1.jpg

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/...ps01ot6t9z.jpg
http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/...ps01ot6t9z.jpg

eleven=11 Oct 3, 2015 6:42 PM

miami growing UP
http://oceandrive.com/billion-dollar...eshaping-miami

eleven=11 Oct 6, 2015 4:57 PM

downtown Palm Beach foundations done while tracks works continue
the 7 v-shaped things holding up the station, those are done.
visited the site and City Place shopping center this week
also the new convention center hotel looks good/very modern design.

202_Cyclist Oct 7, 2015 5:32 PM

CSX's offer finally opens the door to commuter rail in Tampa Bay
 
This isn't related to the FEC project but more broadly, to passenger rail in FL.

CSX's offer finally opens the door to commuter rail in Tampa Bay

By Caitlin Johnston
Tampa Bay Times
Oct. 2, 2015

"There are 96 miles of railroad track connecting the downtowns of Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa. The steel grating links Tampa International Airport to the University of South Florida, stretches across four counties and reaches as far north as Brooksville.

Freight trains run on those tracks now. But they could, one day, form the spine of a passenger rail system that would finally connect Tampa Bay — and ease the region's dependence on roads.

This is no pie-in-the-sky scenario. It's an idea gaining sudden momentum because railroad giant CSX Corp. is shopping around two segments of its Tampa Bay routes..."

http://www.tampabay.com/news/transpo...pa-bay/2248337

Eightball Oct 7, 2015 6:05 PM

^^^ that's dope!

Florida is showing some impressive momentum in public transit gains (Sunrail, Miami area improvements) and intercity rail (AAF). Let's hope it continues

202_Cyclist Oct 7, 2015 6:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eightball (Post 7189748)
^^^ that's dope!

Florida is showing some impressive momentum in public transit gains (Sunrail, Miami area improvements) and intercity rail (AAF). Let's hope it continues

And the Fort Lauderdale streetcar/light rail. For a largely suburban sunbelt state, this is indeed impressive.

Hatman Oct 7, 2015 7:45 PM

These lines CSX is putting up for sale are nice, but it's too bad they aren't considering selling the one that goes in the direction of MacDill air force bace. There never was an existing rail right-of-way MORE PERFECT for a light rail line than this one. I mean, just go look at it on Google maps/earth! Start at the train station on the east side of Tampa Bay. From there it goes through downtown Tampa through the streets. Then it crosses a bridge and wraps around the University of Tampa. Then it goes in a fast, straight line down through several modestly dense neighborhoods and shopping centers, and then ends right near the front door of the air force base (you would need to get on a bus to get into the air force base, I imagine, so why not get into a base-provided shuttle at the light rail stop?)
I mean, if the politicians can't turn this thing into a transit corridor, there is no chance for them doing anything else. It is so absolutely PERFECT - just grab some DMU's, build wooden temporary platforms, and run it on the existing tracks for a while and see how much people like it!
And then, once All Aboard Florida comes to Tampa, imagine the awesome connection that will be, LRT to HSR!
(I'm assuming that if/when All Aboard Florida goes to Tampa it will stop at or near the existing train station... does anyone have any indications otherwise?)

eleven=11 Oct 7, 2015 9:19 PM

http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-conte...-1-537x357.jpg
those 7 v-shaped things are almost done
while lots of new tracks work going on in WPB.

bobdreamz Oct 10, 2015 1:37 AM

Office And Rental Towers Above MiamiCentral Set For Review
 
Office And Rental Towers Above MiamiCentral Set For Review
By TNM Staff on October 8, 2015

All Aboard Florida submitted long-awaited plans to the county yesterday for three ‘overbuild’ towers that will rise above the under-construction MiamiCentral project.

Plans call for two residential towers, each about 500 feet tall, along with a shorter office tower. In total, 800 rental units are planned in the first phase, along with about 200,000 square feet of office.

A robotic parking garage is planned below the towers, above the train station and retail space.

NBWW is the architect of the residential towers, while SOM designed the office towers. Zyscovich is an associate architect for all three towers.

Approval by a Dade zoning board is required, but the City of Miami won’t need to review the plans.

http://i.imgur.com/c15p9xk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/c15p9xk.jpg

http://www.thenextmiami.com/index.ph...et-for-review/

bobdreamz Oct 10, 2015 2:50 AM

AAF Miami Super tower files with the FAA @ 991 feet | 341 m down from 1,120 feet prop
 
Official filing with the FAA on October 5, 2015 :

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external...7711341&row=17


http://i.imgur.com/7GhTfJ7.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7GhTfJ7.jpg

Link: http://www.thenextmiami.com/index.ph...ach-1000-feet/

Original proposed height:

Figures :

Height: 341.4 m | 1,120 ft
Floors Above Ground : 80

http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/buil...entral-i/18065

eleven=11 Oct 14, 2015 3:26 AM

http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/list/...-stories/mLBw/
new bypass track done, i walked the track two weeks ago.
lots of guys working and track/train equipment

BrennanW Oct 15, 2015 2:48 PM

Have FEC selected which equipment will be used. For EIS 2017, these railcars must be in production soon, right?


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