Martin County approves settlement with Brightline.
Indian River Continues to fight!
Passenger train service on the Treasure Coast is now one big step closer to reality. Yesterday, the Martin County Commission, along with CARE, Citizens Against Rail Expansion, approved a settlement agreement with Brightline. Brightline, which is rebranding as Virgin Trains USA, will be required to build at least one train station on the Treasure Coast within five years of the first paying passengers taking the expanded train service to Orlando. That is expected to happen by 2021.
The agreement also spells out a number of other Brightline requirements, including elevating a section of the St. Lucie Bridge to allow more marine traffic when its down, vehicle presence detection systems at 17 crossings in Martin County, and sidewalks wherever the county sees fit. Martin County, Indian River County, and CARE had sued over how the expansion of the train was going to be funded and other safety and environment concerns.
However, Indian River County voted last night not only to reject the settlement, but allocated another $1 million to continue the fight.
